The Qatar Grand Prix Moto3 pole position spotlight and race-day outlook
Alicante rider Dani Holgado, aboard KTM, claimed pole for the Qatar Grand Prix and marked the second pole of his career, the first having come in Austria in 2022. The Lusail circuit will host the race on a clear Sunday, with Holgado leading the front row as the best time from official qualifying.
In the first row beside Holgado, Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira and Turkish rider Deniz Öncü (both on KTM) secured starts close to the front, signaling a potentially tight battle from the opening laps.
Holgado had already shown strong pace, earning a pole that underscored his status as a rising force in Moto3. The paddock then turned to the wider championship fight, as riders prepared to push for valuable points in a season that can shape the title race in Valencia and beyond.
The on-site competition saw Jaume Masiá, the world leader from Spain riding Honda, enter the session with high expectations but left with a tenth-place time. His chief rival for the title, Ayumu Sasaki from Japan, riding Husqvarna, did not match his usual practice times yet managed to secure a solid second row start ahead of teammate Collin Veijer, with Romano Fenati also in the frame for a strong showing.
Qualifying highlighted a mix of factory machinery and pace from several Italians and Spaniards. Filippo Farioli (KTM) and Matteo Bertelle (Honda) topped their class alongside Adrián Fernández (Honda) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda). David Muñoz (KTM) appeared to be in contention but faced a late setback that forced a delayed start from the second row after a late-race issue in the opening qualifier, leaving him to fight from a tougher position.
Reaction on social media captured the tension within the team dynamics. A post from DAZN Spain reflected the drama of qualifying, noting the heat of the moment as Masiá and his rivals aimed to secure top spots in a race that could reshape the standings for the season.
In the race preview, Masiá was seen as a challenger who would likely push hard from the start, seeking to ride alone for a strong result while his teammate Adrián Fernández would be looking to assist in achieving a favorable outcome for both. The second classification session produced a surge of intent, with Bertelle delivering a strong early showing and Öncü claiming the fastest overall time in the runs that followed. The Spaniard Iván Ortola and Australian-based Spaniard Masiá soon found themselves in the mix, but Öncü moved to the front and held the lead with a 2:04.894 lap, a pace that established him as a formidable threat.
A mid-session incident saw David Alonso’s GasGas motorcycle stop on track, bringing a pause for his crew to address the stoppage. Masiá briefly stopped to check tire temperatures, then returned to the pit to change tires and mount a fresh option for another time attack.
As the clock ticked down, Holgado regained pole position, edging Moreira, Öncü, and Sasaki in a sprint that tested the most optimized setups and tire strategies. The championship narrative remained lively, with Masiá needing a strong finish from the fourth line while his title rival Sasaki started from the second row, setting up an immediate opportunity for Sasaki to close the gap in the standings.
In the closing moments of the session, Vicente Pérez, Filippo Farioli, and David Alonso all navigated the tricky balance of speed and reliability. Xavier Artigas faced a longer recovery from a later start and would begin the race from the back, adding tension to the grid as the riders prepared for the main event.
Overall, the Qatar Grand Prix presented a mix of assured pace from KTM and rapid speed from Honda and Husqvarna riders. The pole position for Holgado signaled his growing confidence and readiness for the season’s decisive races, while the broader field showed the depth of talent that continues to define Moto3 competition. With the race just ahead, fans could anticipate a competitive chase up and down the order, with several riders poised to challenge for a podium and valuable championship points. [Source: race media coverage and on-site reports]