The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider qualifies in third position for the 2022 season opener, with teammate Dani Holgado 15th.

The starting grid for the first Moto3 race of the 2022 season, the Qatar Grand Prix, was decided in qualifying at the Lusail International Circuit on Saturday. Jaume Masia took a big step forward today to earn a magnificent third position and tomorrow he’ll start the contest from the front row. Teammate Dani Holgado also did a great job, making his way into Q2 and qualifying in 15th place, on Row 5.

In the last Free Practice of the weekend, Holgado continued to accumulate experience at the Qatari track, achieving a positive 10th place at the end of the FP3. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rookie made steady progress, stopping the clock at 2:06.809 on his last attempt of 10. Masia had a tough morning, placing 20th with a best time of 2:07.644 off a total of 11 laps.

Masia went directly through to Q2 due to his times from Friday and, thanks to a brilliant final fast lap in that session, the Spaniard took third with a personal best of 2:05.023. He will start the Qatar Grand Prix from the front row. Holgado had to compete in Q1, a session in which he finished third – with a 2:06.230 -, making the cut for Q2. He would claim a spot on Row 5, in 15th position through a time of 2:06.445.

The 18-lap first Moto3 race of the 2022 season will start on Sunday at 3 PM local time.

Results (Qualifying session)
1. Izan Guevara (GasGas) 2:04.811
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) 2:04.896 +0.085
3. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:05.023 +0.212
4. Andrea Migno (Honda) 2:05.174 +0.363
5. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 2:05.189 +0.378
15. Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:06.445 +1.634

#5 JAUME MASIA

“I’m very happy to have qualified third and secured a spot on the front row of the grid for tomorrow. We have a good pace with the hard tyre, which is important in terms of the race. We have hit our target, which was to be high up the grid, and tomorrow we will try to take advantage of this to get a good result. I’m looking forward to this first contest of 2022 and we will give one hundred percent – as we always do – to have a great performance.”

#96 DANI HOLGADO

“I am very happy with today. We have taken an important step forward in terms of my confidence with the bike, and in terms of the team. During qualifying, there was sand on the track and it was a bit tricky, but we adapted quite well and we were able to get through to Q2. Tomorrow we will give our all and try to enjoy the race to the fullest.”