Fourth and fifth for Carpe and Uriarte on Brno starting grid
20/06/2026The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo occupy spots on the second row for the Czech Grand Prix.
Saturday action at Brno concluded with fourth and fifth positions for Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte, putting the Red Bull KTM Ajo pair in prime spots for the Czech Grand Prix.
Once again, conditions were dry and hot, with track temperatures up to 31°C before the 9 a.m. start for FP2. In addition, the all-time lap record has been broken by Carpe at the end of the session.
Carpe divided FP2 into two parts, focusing on fine-tuning his setup in the first and running a Time Attack in the second. During the first half of the session he was within the Top 10, then put on a new tyre to test out his single-lap speed. His subsequent 2:04.394 was an all-time track record, shaving more than 6 tenths off his best time from Friday. Topping his fifth session of the season, Carpe completed 12 laps of the Czech circuit. Uriarte set the pace amongst the Moto3 field for his first two flying laps, already dipping into the 2:05s. As the session progressed, he focused on working on his race pace, deciding to complete FP2 with a single long run. With this switch of focus, he dropped positions on the timesheets, and ended the session 14th with a time of 2:05.826, set on his third lap, and improving some tenths from best Friday time.
With an ambient temperature of 31°C and track temperature of 49°C, Moto3 Q2 was held under the most extreme conditions of the day.
Getting to work straight away, Carpe was fourth after his first run of Q2. Following a tyre change, he tried to shave further tenths off his best time, and managed it on his final attempt, although it wasn’t enough to improve his position. His 2:04.634, after 6 laps at Brno, took him to fourth and a place on the second row of the grid. Provisionally third after his first stint, Uriarte also tried to further improve his time and was unable to do so. A very commendable fifth place came from his 2:04.643 -also after 6 laps completed in Q2. The result continues his rapid adaptation to an unfamiliar circuit.
After a good Saturday, the Red Bull KTM Ajo make a step from day one to face Sunday’s race in the best possible way. The 16-lap Moto3 Czech Republic Grand Prix takes place on Sunday from 11 a.m. (local time).
#83 ALVARO CARPE
“Today we took another step forward. We were able to improve both our best time and our feeling, so overall it’s been very positive. We didn’t quite get our hot laps quite right, but we managed to secure a good starting position for tomorrow. We’ll try to make a good start, fight at the front, and enjoy the race, although the heat will certainly make things a bit difficult for us at this Grand Prix.”
#51 BRIAN URIARTE
“I’m very happy with this second day in Brno. This morning we did a long run and, although it could have gone better, tomorrow we’ll definitely take a step forward in the race. This afternoon, we were able to work as a team alongside Alvaro to secure a good grid position. Tomorrow we’ll learn what we can and try to make the most of the opportunity to be amongst the fastest riders in the class.”
