The Moto3™ class kicked off as usual Super Saturday with Red Bull KTM Tech3’s boys Jacob Roulstone and Valentin Perrone starting the day with a final free practice session at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, before qualifying. Both put all the chances on their sides heading to race day on Sunday, with Roulstone grabbing the 5th position on the grid, just ahead of his teammate who will start the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy from 6th.
Grand Prix of Italy
Australian Jacob Roulstone headed directly to Q2 after taking P13 of Practice, and he took advantage of the final free practice to work on improving some weaknesses pointed out on Friday, despite the young #12 making the cut to Q2. When qualifying started, Jacob exited with the big pack, just behind championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda, and started with a first lap in 1’56.107, which had him in provisional 7th when returning to the pit box. The Australian improved to 1’55.599 on his first lap back on track, and then to 1’55.424 in the following to a provisional 5th place with just 2 minutes remaining. No further improvements were made, and Jacob settled with 5th. It is the best qualifying result of the season for the Aussie, who will look to convert this into his first big points of 2025.
Also already qualified in Q2 at the end of play on Friday with an 8th place in Practice, young rookie Valentin Perrone was ready to hit Q2 on Saturday afternoon under a boiling sun in Tuscany. 13th of FP2 less than one second from the fastest time, the young #73 headed out on track at 13:15 local time for the 9th pole position at stake of the season. He took the wheel of fellow rookie Alvaro Carpe to get things started as all riders formed a big group led by Rueda. He set a first lap in 1’55.466 which had him in provisional 2nd heading back to the pit box, just 0.048 seconds off Carpe. For run number 2, Valentin kept the same group to try to get some help from the fastest guys for his first time in Moto3™ at the Mugello, but somehow he could not find a way to improve his lap times. His strong lap from the earlier run meant he grabbed P6 on the grid, his best season’s qualifying result, just like his teammate. The young rider will be looking forward to race day on Sunday, with a Moto3™ race which promises once again some sparkles! See you at 11:00 local time (UTC+2) for 17 laps!
JACOB ROULSTONE: "Very happy to be starting the race from 5th. It was a messy qualifying, but I was happy with how I rode, and I was quite smart about it all. We still have some things that we need to improve, especially the Saturday morning sessions where I am always struggling. Anyway, the plan for tomorrow's race is to finish where I started in Aragon. We will try to stick with the big group, race smart, and I believe that we will be able to do a good race tomorrow."
VALENTIN PERRONE: "The feeling was once again really good in qualifying today! We made a very good lap early into the session, but then I made a little mistake at the end, so I could not improve. We are happy with the 6th position on the grid, we will try to fight at the front, stay with the group, and fight until the end. Our target is to try finishing in the top 5, and why not on the podium. We will give everything we have to achieve this!"
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Alvaro Carpe (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, 1'54.733
2. Jose Antonio Rueda (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, +0.237
3. Scott Ogden (GBR), CIP Green Power, +0.299
5. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.691
6. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.733
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1'53.926 - 165.7 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2024 - C. Veijer (NLD) - 1'54.738 - 164.5 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1'54.194 - 165.3 km/h
Top Speed: 2024 D. Alonso (COL) - 251.7 - km/h
