Jaume Masia will start tenth at Motegi and Dani Holgado 21st.

The second Free Practice for the Japanese Grand Prix was held in the rain, and as such the riders did not improve their lap times from Friday. Assured of a place in Q2, Masia focused on finding a better feeling. In the final minutes he would set a time worth first place, but the lap was eventually cancelled. A 2:10.892 achieved on his 11th lap of 14 put him eleventh – 14th overall. The rain hindered the work of Holgado, who nevertheless progressively improved his times during the session. His 2:11.265 on his final lap left him in eighteenth position, meaning he would have to contest Q1.

Holgado tried to qualify in the Top 4 in Q1 and would increase his pace and improve his feeling, but a 2:13.237 on his seventh and final lap would only give him seventh place. He will start from the seventh row of the grid, in 21st.

Masia was in the top positions from the start of Q2. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider worked hard to maintain his position and secure a spot on the front row of the grid, but a lap that would have placed him in the Top3 was cancelled due to a yellow flag. Masia set a 2:12.229 on his last lap, putting him on the third row of the grid, in tenth place.

The 20-lap Moto3 Japanese Grand Prix will take place on Sunday at 12 PM local time.

Results (Qualifying session)
1. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 2:11.246
2. Scott Ogden (Honda) 2:11.568 +0.322
3. Sergio Garcia (GasGas) 2:11.788 +0.542
4. Ayumu Sasaki (Husqvarna) 2:11.942 +0.696
5. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 2:12.015 +0.769
10. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:12:229 +0.983
21. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:13.237 (Q1 Time)

#5 JAUME MASIA 

“I’m happy. Tomorrow we start in the Top 10 despite the very tricky  conditions with the rain. I was competitive today and fought for the top positions, even though in the end it wasn’t to be. The team and I are working well and we hope to have a good race tomorrow. We’ll have to keep an eye on the weather, although we hope the race will be dry.”

#96 DANI HOLGADO

“It was a bit of a difficult day for us. We had a hard time adapting to the rainy conditions here at Motegi. Still, I’m confident ahead of tomorrow and we’re ready for the race. We are starting from far back, but it gives me more motivation to do well on Sunday. We are working to do well in the race and, above all, to enjoy ourselves.”