Ivan Ortola secured pole position in Saturday’s Moto3 World Championship qualifier at Phillip Island in Australia. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI KTM on Pirelli Control tires, Ortola topped the 26-rider field with a lap time of 1:35.872.
Colin Weger finished third and final on the front row with a 1:35.996 on his Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna and Adrian Fernandez on his Leopard Racing Honda with a 1:36.023.
Further, from Dorna’s press release:
Ortola surprised by a late pole position at Phillip Island, Alonso P10. The #48 secured the third pole position on the bow alongside Vejer and Fernandez.
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) continued his impressive qualifying form in 2024, at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The #48 set a late 1:35.872 for his third consecutive pole of the season, improving on the final lap to start ahead of Colin Weir (Leaky Molly Husqvarna Intact GP). The Dutchman recovered well from his earlier crash at Turn 4, finishing Q2 by 0.124s from pole position. Meanwhile, Adrian Fernandez (Tiger Racing) was another rider who led an impressive recovery battle from Q1 to P3.
Ortola shines in Australia.
It was a wet start to Saturday’s action, improving from Friday’s time and Angel Piquéras (Tiger Racing) again leading the rankings in difficult conditions, while new winner David Alonso (CFmoto Gaviota Aspar Team) suffered a crash at turn 6 – rider OK. This led to an action-packed Q1, with home hero Jacob Rulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) dominating, earning a place in Q2 alongside Fernandes, David Munoz (BOE Motorsports) and Honda Team Asia’s Taio Furusato.
It was a very busy start to Q2, with Alonso pushing from the early laps and the driver train at the back. Adrian Fernandez (Tiger Racing) set an early benchmark in Q2, bettered only by Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA). This led to a high final sprint, with home hero Kelso provisional P1 before a few riders responded and moved the goalpost further allowing Ortola to take a late pole position.
Alonso leads from P10.
David Munoz (BOE Motorsport) leads the grid second in Australia, making up time on the final run after using the newly crowned champion as a marker. The #64 had provisional pole for the moment but would start ahead of Scott Ogden (FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing), who set an impressive time to finish sixth in NEPA.
Meanwhile, Kelso dropped to seventh at the flag as the Aussies failed to improve further on the final lap. Kelso has a strong starting position for Sunday and will be joined by Angel Piquerras (Tiger Racing) and Furusato on the third row of the grid. However, it was a tough day for Alonso to qualify in the top 10.Th In the year Attempt #80 to add to his winning tally in 2024 is set to take place on Sunday.Th After finishing ahead of teammate Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).
Next it’s time to race for Moto3™ at Phillip Island, Sunday at 11:00 local time (UTC +11).
 continues an incredible qualifying form in 2024, storming to pole position at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The #48 claimed a third consecutive pole of the season after setting a late 1:35.872, improving on his final lap to start ahead){kind=link}