Red Bull KTM Tech3 Moto3™ will leave the Grand Prix of Japan with many positives after both our riders delivered strong performances in Sunday's race at the Mobility Resort Motegi track. From his second position on the grid, Valentin Perrone gave everything he had all the way until the last chicane, to eventually claim P4 on his first time in Japan! Jacob Roulstone finished in 13th despite having to face an incident in the opening lap, as he found himself all the way to the back of the grid, with everything to be redone.
Grand Prix of Japan
As lights were out, it was polesitter Jose Antonio Rueda who earned the holeshot with Valentin Perrone keeping hold of his P2. From behind, Joel Kelso, David Muñoz and Maximo Quiles were quickly within the group, and Perrone dropped a few positions to 5th. After 3 laps, we already saw a small group of 6 emerge, as all were battling out for the lead. Valentin made the extra effort on lap 5 to move up to 2nd, and he seized the first opportunity to move past rookie fellow Maximo Quiles to take the lead of the race. After 6 laps, the little leading group was no more, and we had 14 riders less than 0.5 seconds from each other. Small drops of rain joined the party in Japan though, but nothing major to worry about at the time. It was then David Muñoz’ turn to take the lead, and Perrone settled in 2nd, as the Intact rider grew a gap of 1.4 seconds in four laps on the Argentinean. Behind, Quiles remained one second away with David Almansa close. 5 laps remained, and Valentin was still able to keep it up in P2, although Quiles had now completely closed the gap. Watch out for pole man Rueda though, providing the extra effort with solid late pace, after he had been patiently waiting in the 5/6 positions all race long. Quiles moved past Valentin as they entered lap 14 battling out for 2nd, and our Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider did not seem to want to let that one go! That little fight gave Rueda the opportunity to close on the numbers 28 and 73, and we had the championship leader now in the game, 2 laps to the final checkered flag. The Spaniard made his move on Perrone, and it was now P4 for our young rookie entering the final lap. As David Muñoz flew to Japanese victory, the trio Rueda-Quiles-Perrone provided us with amazing battles in an epic final lap, but it was the experience of Rueda who saw him take the 2nd position, as Quiles completed the Motegi podium. Valentin Perrone finished with a great 4th position, not bad at all for the first time in Japan!
Qualified in 22nd, Jacob Roulstone was eventually granted two more positions on the grid following grid penalties, so he started from P20. The start was pretty good for the Australian, but he was once again unlucky when another rider crashed just in front of him at the second corner, and he was forced to go wide to avoid him. That meant the Aussie was back in P23 after lap 1 with everything to be redone. Nevertheless, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider quickly refocused, as he settled into his race pace, one that allowed him to progressively move up through the ranks. After ten laps of racing, Jacob was now within the top 15, battling it out for 12th against Dennis Foggia for the lead of their group. He eventually won that battle, as he now led the chasing group, with a 9.5 seconds gap to the next ahead, Guido Pini, as 5 laps remained. The gap to the next group grew, and it was all about keeping the pace and the lead of his group for Jacob. Mission accomplished, as he crossed the line in 13th, a performance highlighted by a solid late pace from the Australian, who rode his fastest lap on the final lap on his way to score 3 points in Japan.
That’s it for Motegi this year, thank you as always to the amazing Japanese fans for their unconditional support and love, and we will now head to Lombok island for the Grand Prix of Indonesia, next week, on October 3-4-5!
VALENTIN PERRONE: "This race in Motegi was super fun! I felt super good on the bike, I gave everything, until the last lap to try being on the podium, but in the end, Rueda and Quiles were a bit stronger. At the start, I tried to follow Rueda, but it was a bit tricky because many riders wanted to take the lead. When it started to rain, I felt good, and I saw an opportunity to move at the front, to put my pace. Then Muñoz overtook me, and he was a bit crazy, so I calmed down and settled with my pace. Then Quiles and Rueda caught me when it stopped raining, and that was P4. We learnt a lot again today, I enjoyed it, so let’s head next to Indonesia and apply all the learnings from Japan!"
JACOB ROULSTONE: "Pretty chaotic race. I had a really good start, a really good first corner, and I actually did a good entry into turn 2, but I had to avoid a crash just in front of me, so I dropped to the back. I was able to put my head down, and catch back up. I actually felt really confident when it started to rain, and that’s when I started gaining positions. Overall, we are happy with today’s race, I could ride well and be aggressive in the overtakes. We had made a few changes heading to the track, and I changed a lot of my riding, so it was good! We still have things to improve on the overall weekend though, I hope we can figure out our bike set up earlier into the weekend, so let’s head to Indonesia, a faster track which suits my style better! Big thanks to the team, as always."
HERVE PONCHARAL, Team Principal: "What a race from the Tech3 boys! The race conditions were difficult, managing the tire drop was not easy in the first part of the race, but I think that Valentin Perrone did a great job in these tough conditions. Together with David Muñoz, they opened a significant break on the chasing group, and I am really proud of Valentin, because we can clearly see the progress he’s made since the start of the year. We are a bit disappointed to not be on the podium, because Valentin was in P2 almost all race long, but in the end, that trio Rueda-Quiles-Perrone gave us an incredible show in the last laps, with a great fighting spirit, and Perrone tried everything until the last chicane, so we should not have any regrets. It is a really strong result, and I would like to congratulate Valentin for another exceptional performance. Jacob Roulstone had a poor qualifying due to a Q1 crash, so he started far, but he put his head down and recovered to P13, we are very happy. He rode his fastest race lap in the last lap, which is super important, because we have been quite often losing ground with the tire drop, so it’s a big step for him. Good job for both sides, and let’s keep it going in Indonesia, where we expect one of them to be on the podium."
RACE RESULTS
1. David Muñoz (SPA), Dynavolt Intact GP, 33'09.599
2. Jose Antonio Rueda (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, +1.618
3. Maximo Quiles (SPA) CFMOTO Aspar Team, +2.203
4. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +2.336
13. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +21.568
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING
1. Jose Antonio Rueda (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, 315pts
2. Angel Piqueras (SPA), MT Helmets - MSI, 222pts
3. Maximo Quiles (SPA), CFMOTO Aspar Team, 204pts
8. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, 121pts
15. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, 51pts
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2024 - I. Ortola (SPA) - 1'54.761 - 150.6 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2025 - J. Rueda (SPA) - 1'55.305 - 149.8 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - I. Ortola (SPA) - 1'54.761 - 150.6 km/h
Top Speed: 2024 - I. Ortola (SPA) - 224.5 km/h
