by Mark Appleton
As the sun shone at the Circuit de Catalunya for free practice three and qualifying, the Repsol riders prepared for race six of the Moto3 Championship.
Maverick Vinales was always on top or thereabouts throughout the qualifying and managed to remain there once the flag had been waved.
Despite crashing late on, Miguel Oliveira grabbed himself fifth place to start on the second row, with Alex Marquez and Alex Rins in eleventh and sixteenth respectively.
By the time the riders took to the track for qualifying temperatures had reaching 30ºC – 50ºC on track and it was Vinales who was matching the temperature. The home-town rider clocked a strong lap halfway through the session before, five minutes from the end, putting new tyres on and recording a lap of 1.52.160 to take pole.
Maverick Viñales
“I am very happy to have taken pole at my home race, as it means a lot to be able to do this for the fans. I think that we had a really good session and got a very positive feeling from it, which is important as this isn’t entirely the best track for me. Le Mans was more suited to my riding style, whilst Montmeló is completely different and we have had to adapt in order to ride comfortably. We have everything ready for tomorrow, but we just have to wait and see what the weather will be like. If the temperatures drop, the tyres will degrade less and we will be able to maintain our pace better”.
Miguel Oliveira
“This has been a positive day. We can be satisfied with a second row, as the straight at Montmeló is very long and we have the time to gain places. We went out this morning looking to improve on yesterday’s performance, although we didn’t get the times that we were looking to achieve. Later on we got closer to the frontrunners, although I realise that I am finding it tough to get quick laps on my own. Despite not having the pace that I want, I am calm about the race. I had a crash at the end, but I am unhurt”.
Álex Rins
“We have taken a big step forward from yesterday’s sessions, and I must thank the team for doing a great job to make that possible. I am satisfied with having ridden my fast lap on my own, leading a group. That gives me reason to believe that we will be able to drop our times a little more. Tomorrow’s race will be contested in a group and will be very fast. It is important to get a good start and, after that, we will see how the rest of the laps develop”.
Álex Márquez
“We went out on used tyres in the morning in order to prepare for tomorrow’s race. We didn’t have a great pace going, but in the end we improved the feel of the bike. We got better in the afternoon, although my fastest time of the day was recorded on my final lap and on new tyres. Eleventh is not a bad position. As regards my injury, I am feeling pretty good and hope that tomorrow we can make the most of the warmup to improve things for my second World Championship appearance”.
