this Italian rider Dennis Foggia on a Honda secured his second pole of the season and the second pole of his Moto3 career at the Catalonia Grand Prix. He topped the qualifying session after a well-executed strategy, pulling away from the field as others struggled to match his pace. The result underscored the effectiveness of the team’s plan to maximize track time and tire performance under optimal conditions.
Foggia’s best lap was 1:48.290, narrowly ahead of Deniz Öncü on a KTM by 0.138 seconds, with a gap of around three tenths to the next group. Izan Guevara on a GasGas led the championship standings, while Spain’s Sergio García Dols, also on a GasGas, finished seventh, about 0.439 seconds off the pole time.
Rounding out the top positions were Britain’s Scott Ogden on a Honda, Japan’s Kaito Toba on a KTM, Italy’s Riccardo Rossi on a Honda, and Japan’s Ryusei Yamanaka on a KTM, all securing the second row behind the pole sitter. The session began with high pace as riders exploited the favorable track conditions and cooler temperatures that improved tire performance and grip for a quicker lap.
The moment of drama arrived when the top riders began the final sprint. Dennis Foggia appeared to strike first, followed by Tatsuki Suzuki, with a long queue of competitors attempting to ride the draft and push their own fastest laps just as pit strategy opened up opportunities for a late surge.
That momentum continued into the free-test rounds, confirming Foggia as a constant threat at the front. His best lap in the second attempt was 1:48.292, with Rossi and Suzuki close behind as the session wrapped up. As teams evaluated one last tire change before the final launch, a strategic war unfolded. Many riders waited for a moment to exit the pits and set a crucial qualifying time, cementing Foggia’s position at the head of the field as one of the fastest in the category.
With the Catalan Grand Prix gate opening, the Leopard team riders Foggia and Suzuki led a disciplined start, entering the track and forming a line of riders eager to chase the leading pair’s slipstream. The approach allowed them to establish a strong presence early in the session, finishing in top positions and setting a tone for the race that followed.
However, the time spent in the workshop had limited the launch opportunities for some riders. Rossi found himself lagging behind the leaders, while Tatay encountered an error on a fast lap but remained hopeful for a competitive race. Foggia’s target was clear, and Jaume Masiá also showed strong pace, edging ahead of several rivals with a time near the pole time, while Dols, the championship leader, settled for a central position on the grid, ready to initiate the run from the third row and capitalize on a strong start to weave through the opening laps.
In the final lineup, Sergio García Dols lined up in the third row along with Kaito Toba and Joel Kelso. Tatsuki Suzuki, John McPhee, and Matteo Bertelle lined up in the same segment, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent across teams. Others faced misfortune or competitive challenges as the session concluded, and the grid began to form for what promised to be a dynamic Catalan race.
As the engines cooled and the riders prepared for the challenge ahead, the focus remained on strategic timing, tire management, and the ability to exploit track conditions. The Catalonia circuit, known for its demanding layout and demanding corner exits, favored riders who could maintain consistent pace through the length of the qualifying laps. The result set the stage for an exciting Moto3 showdown, with Foggia aiming to convert pole into a strong result on a track that rewards precision and bold racing lines.
MotoGP Schedule: Catalonian Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-C Catalunya
EFE
And the starting strategy came to life as the Leopard team prepared for the race, with Foggia leading Suzuki. They entered the track with urgency, leveraging the track conditions to gain a favorable start and establish a pace that made it challenging for rivals to close the gap. The opening phase highlighted the importance of clean laps and opportunistic moves as the riders navigated the Murky early laps and looked to capitalize on any missteps from their rivals.
The field then prepared for a race that would test endurance, pace, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions on a track that rewarded aggressive yet controlled riding. The result of the pole position signaled confidence in the riders and teams to pursue victory through strategic execution, tire management, and clean riding through the opening segments of the Catalan GP.
García Dols will start from a position on the third line, a place that requires a sharp start to connect with the leading pack immediately. It is expected that a large group of riders will push for a strong start and early positioning as the Catalan test unfolds, with attention on the opening laps and the various approaches each rider takes to secure a favorable early trajectory.
Alongside García Dols, Kaito Toba and Joel Kelso will line up in the third row, alongside Tatsuki Suzuki, John McPhee, and Matteo Bertelle in the same segment. Jaume Masiá, who faced a setback in the classification, will attempt to rebound from a lower grid slot with confidence in his race pace. Andrea Migno and other riders with Honda, Husqvarna, KTM bikes will aim to climb through the field, turning practice and qualifying data into a competitive race strategy.