The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider will take off from third, whilst Vicente Perez will start from the third row.

Qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix was held on Saturday at the Lusail International Circuit. With both riders going directly into Q2, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo had a great day, as Jose Antonio Rueda took third position and a spot on the front row. Vicente Perez was very competitive and will start from the third row, in ninth position.

Rueda started the day showing the good form with which he has started the season. He once again set a high pace and lowered his times from Friday, breaking the circuit record in the process. Rueda completed a total of 11 laps and topped the timesheets thanks to a 2:03465 on his penultimate lap. In Q2, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider occupied the leading positions from the start. After 15 intense minutes of qualifying, the Spaniard set the third best time with a 2:02.596, putting him on the front row of the grid.

Vicente Perez made progress and his feeling with the KTM significantly improved. The Spaniard gave his all to go through directly to Q2 along with his teammate. Pérez reached the Top 10, improving his times and taking ninth position thanks to his 2:04.279 on his tenth and final lap. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider then faced the first qualifying run of the season with great determination and with clear ideas. Perez pushed until the end, clocking his best time on his final attempt. A 2:03.166 means he will start from ninth position, on the third row.

The 16-lap Moto3 Qatar Grand Prix race will take place on Sunday at 5PM, local time.

Qualifying Results
1. Daniel Holgado (GasGas) 2:02.276
2. Ivan Orotola (KTM) 2:02.541 +0.265
3. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:02.596 +0.320
4. Adrian Fernandez (Honda) 2:02.632 +0.356
5. Matteo Bertelle (Honda) 2:03.672 +0.396
9. Vicente Perez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:03.166 +0.890

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“Starting from the front row at the first race is very good for the team. I am very happy with the work we are doing together. I think we have a good pace when riding alone and I have a lot of confidence. I think we can have a strong race and get a positive result here in Qatar.”

#21 VICENTE PEREZ

“It was a pretty good day because I was able to find a feeling with the bike that I had been missing yesterday. I didn’t know the bike and the tyres before, but I have managed to adapt well. Tomorrow we start from the third row, which wasn’t my goal because I always think “I can do better,” but tomorrow we will give it our best. I want to thank the team for their work, because they have made me feel very comfortable on the bike. Also, thanks to my manager, KTM and Red Bull for this opportunity.”