The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo will start the race from the eighth and ninth rows of the grid, respectively.

Morning rain at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto prevented the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders from improving their times in practice on Saturday, so both had to go through Q1. Vicente Perez will start the race from 24th, with late crasher Xabi Zurutuza 26th.

Practice 2 took place in wet conditions and with intense rain at times. Vicente Perez, in his first session with the team as a replacement for the sick Jose Antonio Rueda, had a good feeling and seemed comfortable despite the circumstances. Perez completed 12 laps, his best a 1:58.301 on his final attempt that placed him 11th. Like Perez, Zurutuza was not able to improve his times from Friday due to the weather, and would not make the cut for Q2 directly. With 15 laps completed, Zurutuza finished in a positive sixth position, thanks to his 1:51.460 on his 12th lap.

A completely different scenario awaited the pair in qualifying. An increase in temperatures dried out the track, although there were still some isolated damp areas. For Perez, it was his first experience in the dry, although he ended up close to the front positions. However, he was unable to build on this in the final laps and placed tenth through his 1:49.523. Rookie Zurutuza continued working to adapt to a new class, but was hampered by a crash in the middle of the session that prevented him from posting a good time, although he was able to remount. The 1:51.460 set on his third lap of seven put him in twelfth position. The pair will start from 24th and 29th, respectively, in the race.

The Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 11:00 am, local time.

Results Qualifying
1. David Alonso (CFMoto) 1:44.954
2. David Muñoz (KTM) 1:45.174 +0.220
3. Collin Veijer (Husqvarna) 1:46.013 +1.059
4. Joel Kelso (KTM) 1:46.053 +1.099
5. Ryusei Yamanaka (KTM) 1:46.152 +1.198
24. Vicente Perez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:49.523 +1.700 *Q1 time
26. Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:51.460 +3.637 *Q1 time

#85 XABI ZURUTUZA

“In the first wet practice this morning, I had a very good feeling. However, in the dry we went out to test things, I made a couple of mistakes and when I was preparing for my hot lap I crashed. It was an unexpected fall at the last corner, which prevented us from setting a good time. For tomorrow’s race the objective is to make a good start and overtake as many riders as possible. From there, I will try to find a space where I feel comfortable and can fight for the points.”

#21 VICENTE PÉREZ
“We knew it was going to be a difficult qualifying session, especially because the first session was wet and QP was dry. We have to be positive; we placed ahead of riders who have been able to ride for longer than me, since Friday. We have come in without expectations, we are going to enjoy ourselves and learn from this bike and the class. We will work with the team this afternoon to try to get a setup for the race that I can be comfortable with. I think my strong point for tomorrow is that I never give up, so I will give everything to try to get some points.”