The Moto3™ class was already back at it on Friday following the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, but this time, it was at the other side of the world as the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 squad travelled to paradisiac Lombok island for the third edition of the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. It was blue sky and hot-humid conditions that awaited both Daniel Holgado and Jacob Roulstone as they began round 15 action in the morning with Free Practice, followed by Practice 1. 

Coming from a very strong weekend in Misano with a P4-finish, Daniel Holgado was eager to ride in Indonesia, a country with a layout that he enjoys a lot, despite the challenging conditions. In the morning FP, the Spaniard took the third fastest time of the opening session with a 1’39.255 while rookie Angel Piqueras took the honours. Later on as the action resumed, the conditions became hotter, and more difficult to handle for many riders, all used to smoother European temperatures. With ten minutes left into the session, the #96 still had not set a strong lap as he stood far in the standings. Eventually he set a 1’39.003 that had him provisionally in P11, but a few more late improvements arrived and kicked Holgado out of the top 14. Dani finished the first day in P15, and will have in mind a Q2 ticket as the action resumes tomorrow morning at 8:40 (GMT+8).

It was the start of a new adventure for rookie Jacob Roulstone beginning his first overseas tour in the Grand Prix. The Australian tried to get his head around the Mandalika circuit and its challenges on Friday morning, and one that was highlighted by the rookie was the need for confidence entering in the corners. In FP, Jacob observed and learned as usual, and then we saw him make small steps in the afternoon session, and improve his feeling, although he is still missing a little something to feel 100% confident. A late improved lap in 1’39.218 sees him close day one in Lombok in 19th, with still a good margin for improvements as he hopes to make it to Q2.