Adrian Fernandez surged to the front on his final lap at Sepang, snatching pole position for the 2024 Malaysian Moto3 Grand Prix with a blistering new lap record of 2m 09.542s.
Starting second alongside teammate Angel Piqueras, Fernandez capitalized on the rain-soaked conditions that unsettled the field. As the track dried, he expertly navigated through the pack, avoiding the tow from others and steadily closing the gap to the leaders.
Ivan Ortola had initially held the top spot, benefiting from slipstreaming, but Fernandez’s relentless pace overtook him just as the chequered flag waved. MT Helmets – MSI’s Ivan Ortola settled for second, marking the best KTM performance, trailing by 0.353 seconds.
David Alonso, the reigning champion, faced challenges with his straight-line speed but managed to climb to third, extending his impressive five-race win streak. Meanwhile, Tatsuki Suzuki and Joel Kelso showed strong performances, with Kelso advancing from Q1 in fifth place.
The session wasn’t without drama. Angel Piqueras collided with Scott Ogden while attempting a pass, resulting in Piqueras falling and Ogden finishing 18th without a final flying lap.
Collin Veijer finished eighth despite running solo, and Jose Antonio Rueda secured tenth amid yellow flags. Daniel Holgado and Red Bull GasGas Tech3’s Daniel Holgado held steady, while David Munoz faced penalties after a clash with Filippo Farioli, starting the race from 15th.
In Q1, Joel Kelso struggled to maintain his previous form, leading to a mix of strategic moves and unfortunate spins, including Farioli’s double flat floor spin that left him 23rd. The qualifying session showcased intense competition and pivotal moments that set the stage for an exciting race day.
