The Moto3 riders were greeted with a very green track surface at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto today, after overnight and morning rain washed the rubber laid down in Friday’s sessions away. In the sunny conditions it didn’t take long for grip to return, and the times tumbled as each session progressed.

Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) were the ones to watch in Q1, with both riders at the sharp end throughout. The pair secured their places in Q2, ending the opening session in second and third respectively.

Unfortunately there were struggles further back for Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) in fifth, Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) in seventh, Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) in ninth, Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) in 10^th, Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) in 11^th and SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Leo Rammerstorfer, who experienced a Turn 2 crash late in the session, in 12^th.

In the following Q2 session it was Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and Pratama who were fast early on, holding a provisional Honda 1-2 momentarily. Kelso also looked to be keeping himself in contention for a front row start. Despite this demonstration of good pace, the Honda riders were ultimately unrewarded for their work with crashes for both Fernandez and Pratama.

At the end of the session, Fernandez had set the sixth fastest time, which will see him line up on the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s Moto3 race, with Kelso starting one place behind in seventh. Further back Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) ended the session in 16^th, while Pratama was 17^th.

Tomorrow’s 19-lap race will see the Moto3 riders underway at 11am local time.