Deniz Öncü will start from fifth on the grid, with Jose Antonio Rueda twelfth.

The second day of the San Marino Grand Prix was affected by high temperatures. The Red Bull KTM Ajo went directly into Q2 and fought for the top spots on the grid. Deniz Öncü will start the race from the second row, in fifth, while Jose Antonio Rueda will do so from the fourth row, in twelfth.

Practice 3 allowed the Moto3 riders to fine-tune their setups for qualifying sessions. Deniz Öncü took to the track ready to fight once again for the top positions. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider showed his best version and lowered his lap times throughout the morning. After a pit stop, the Turkish rider upped his speed and led the way thanks to his 1:41.641, achieved on his eleventh lap of 13. Rueda quickly improved his times from Friday and worked focused on the afternoon’s qualifying. The Moto3 rookie went directly into Q2 and with good feelings, going twelfth with a 1:42.096 and thirteenth overall.

Moto3 qualifying provided an intense fight at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Öncü followed a clear strategy after having felt good over the weekend, and would lead the timesheets and fight for pole until the closing moments. The Turkish rider tried to secure the top positions and completed a solid Q2. With a time of 1:42.056, he will begin the race from fifth position, from the second row of the grid. Rueda fought to feel comfortable with the bike to be able to challenge for the top positions. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider improved in his lap by lap and got to ride in fourth position, although the high pace of the last laps made him lose some places. On the last lap he achieved his best time, with a time of 1:42.395, which will make him start twelfth.

The 20-lap Moto3 San Marino Grand Prix will start at 11am on Sunday.
 

Results (Qualifying session)
1. Jaume Masia (Honda) 1:41.638
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) 1:41.881 +0.243
3. Kaito Toba (Honda) 1:41.900 +0.262
4. Diogo Moreira (KTM) 1:42.002 +0.364
5. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.056 +0.418
12. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.395 +0.757

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“I had a slip on the lap where I was pushing hard. We were fighting for pole position but the second row is still good. Tomorrow we have to be clever and wait for the right moment to attack. We are fast and strong and we will enjoy the race here in Misano.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“We felt quite comfortable in Practice 3, although for qualifying we changed the setup a little and it did not favour us much. Tomorrow we will take off from the fourth row, although we also have a good pace when riding alone. We will try to get a good start and move up positions to be able to be in the front group from the beginning.”