The Red Bull KTM Tech3 Moto3™ team was back in action on Saturday for qualifying day of the Grand Prix of Catalonia. Hot conditions awaited again Jacob Roulstone and Valentin Perrone, with a track at 38° during the lunch time qualifying. Australian Roulstone qualified in 11th as he is set to start between Maximo Quiles and Taiyo Furusato on row 4, while Valentin Perrone will launch from P15 on the grid, a slightly disappointing result for the young rookie following his top performance on Friday.
Grand Prix of Catalonia
Australian Jacob Roulstone was already qualified in Q2 after a solid opening day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and he dedicated the opening FP2 to continue making the final adjustments for the race. The feeling was positive for the number 12, who continued to show promising pace, as he took the 12th time of the session. As Q2 began at 13:10, Jacob’s first attack was a 1’47.558 which had him provisionally on the 3rd row within 5 minutes. The Australian then constantly found himself bothered by other riders, and he could not improve his lap time. He qualified in 11th on the grid, as he aims to make a solid start to stick with the front group on Sunday, and clinch a solid result in Catalunya.
A new day full of promises lied ahead for rookie Valentin Perrone, fastest rider on Friday. The Grand Prix of Catalonia started in the best way for the young Argentinian who took the opportunity of a final free practice to fine tune his bike and prepare for Sunday’s race. Pace and confidence looked good, all ready to go for the afternoon’s qualifying. In a busy Q2, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider started with a 1’48.485, but he remained on track on his own while many returned to their team. Valentin improved to a 1’47.908, and with no further improvements made in the final flying lap, that lap remained Valentin’s best, which will see him line up in P15 on the grid on Sunday, as lights of the Moto3™ race go out at 11:00 local time (UTC+2) for 18 laps.
JACOB ROULSTONE: "It was a frustrating qualifying for me. I really felt like I had the speed, I positioned myself well, but despite us being constantly reminded not to stay in the middle of the track, I was bothered by slow riders during all my laps, which is just really annoying. I spent my time trying to get my head around the others, so it is not good. Anyway, we will aim to show our potential tomorrow in the race, our position is not too bad, if we can take a good start and stay with the front straight, that will give us the confidence to do a good race."
VALENTIN PERRONE: "Our grid position is not the result we wanted of course, considering the first day we had, but anyway, we will have to work with P15. The race is expected to be in a big group, so we know that we can make a quick comeback to the front group early in the race. It will be our target, and then I think that we have the pace to give it a good fight, so let’s do it!"
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. David Almansa (SPA), Leopard Racing, 1'46.877
2. Joel Kelso (AUS), Levelup-MTA, +0.202
3. Angel Piqueras (SPA), FRINSA - MT Helmets - MSI, +0.209
11. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.661
15. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +1.031
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1'45.905 - 158.3 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2024 - J. Rueda (SPA) - 1'46.748 - 157.0 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1’45.905 - 158.3 km/h
Top Speed: 2023 - D. Holgado (SPA) - 255.9 - km/h
