Poles and Surprises Mark Moto3 Qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix
In a standout session on the Spielberg Red Bull Ring, Dutch rider Collin Veijer from Husqvarna claimed his first pole position of his career. The result came on a day when the Moto3 qualifying mixed raw speed with tense nerves, and Veijer stood out as the fastest rider when the checkered flag waved over the Austrian Grand Prix event.
Veijer posted the quickest time on the eighth lap, stopping the clock at 1:41.486. That effort put him on the top of the sheet, edging out the global pace setter Daniel Holgado from Spain, who rides a KTM. The moment confirmed Veijer as the leader for the session and created early expectations for Sunday’s race as fans looked to see if he could convert pole into a strong finish on race day.
In the final moments of the session, a variety of contenders lined up for the second row, including Turkish contender Sea Pioneer on the KTM, alongside Jaume Masiá on a Honda, José Antonio Rueda on a KTM, and Italian Ricardo Rossi on a Honda. The mix of seasoned riders and rising talents signaled a highly competitive start grid for the race weekend.
Jorge Martínez Aspar’s protege Ryusei Yamanaka, riding for GasGas, delivered an eye-catching performance that captured attention from teams and fans alike. Italian rider Matteo Bertelle offered a close-up view of Yamanaka’s climb, noting that the youngster earned the top position with only a tenth of a second separating him from the leaders during the session’s decisive moments.
Among the shuffles, Japan’s Taiyo Furusato advanced into the second classification riding a KTM, while fellow KTM riders Ivan Ortola and other names tied to the circle—Brazilian Diogo Moreira, Spanish Xavier Artigas on a CFMoto and David Salvador on a KTM—faced a challenging session that didn’t see all listed riders reach the finish line as they had hoped.
Italian Romano Fenati made an early impact before an unforeseen issue forced him to make a quick assessment on his bike. He managed to salvage the run and push for a time that would keep him in contention, though the crash of some riders and mechanical glitches kept the session high in tension for teams and riders alike.
The early leader in the championship, Daniel Holgado, began the session in control with a strong pace. He led after a number of laps and pushed Veijer and others to chase. Homing in on the line, Holgado found himself at the front once more, trading places with Veijer as riders attempted to secure a secure time in the closing stages.
David Alonso, the Spaniard piloting a GasGas, pushed hard and carried himself into a position near the top as the session wore on. The session featured a blend of young talents and experienced riders, with several notable names still in the mix as the clock neared zero. The field saw intense competition as riders searched for a definitive edge before qualifying ended.
As the session progressed, the KTM squad held a solid presence, with Diogo Moreira and Joel Kelso among those battling to climb the order. Ayumi Sasaki from Japan and Jaume Masiá continued to press forward, each pushing to improve their standing while others faced late challenges that altered the lineup just before the finish line.
Deniz Öncü made a bold push toward the top with José Antonio Rueda on his tail, though both faced situations where track limits or strategic decisions during the lap could influence the lap time verdicts. The close-call results framed a qualifying that left some potential up in the air as the session entered its final minutes.
With one final lap to go, Holgado reclaimed the lead for KTM, followed by Veijer who intensified the battle to stay ahead. The leaders traded places in the closing seconds, testing the nerves of teams and fans alike. Masiá and Rueda remained in contention, while Rossi, Alonso and several other riders preserved their momentum for a last-ditch attempt at pole.
The final moments delivered a dramatic twist when Veijer crossed the line as the pole sitter. Holgado finished just behind, with Deniz Öncü, Jaume Masiá, Rueda, and Rossi completing the top six. Alonso, also in the frame, had a near miss on the final stretch that brought concerns about the bike’s stability and the rider’s control before confirming his position on the grid. Sasaki and Kelso rounded out a strong collective showing, while Muñoz, Nepa, and Suzuki remained in the mix as the lights turned to race mode, promising a gripping Sunday.
In a session marked by speed, risk, and rapid changes of fortune, the Austrian track proved unforgiving yet exciting. Veijer’s pole position underscored the emergence of a new talent ready to challenge the established names at every turn, signaling an anticipated and highly watchable race weekend for Moto3 fans across the region.