MotoGP Mandalika: Tatay takes Moto3 pole as Aji delights home crowd

CFMoto’s Carlos Tatay claimed Moto3 pole for the first IndonesianGP in 25 years but it was local rider Mario Aji making headlines.

The Indonesian Honda Team Asia rider secured third with his final lap of qualifying, having fought his way through from Q1, narrowly behind another superb performance from MT Helmets’ rookie Diogo Moreira.

Qualifying kicked off with the lightweight class’ first taste of a dry track on Saturday after morning rain had prevented improvements during FP3. Laptimes over seven-seconds down on Friday’s best with Rivacold Snipers’ Andrea Migno continuing to lead the pace.

As Q1 unfolded CIP Green Power’s Joel Kelso suffered, but saved, a major moment before a twitch over the kerb for Sergio Garcia caught the GasGas rider out at turn 12. Honda’s Aji was out front as the times began to improve. The Indonesian rider’s 1’42.604 lap heading Leopard’s Tatsuki Suzuki, SIC58’s Lorenzo Fellon and PruestelGP’s Xavier Artigas in the promotion zone with Daniel Holgado just a tenth adrift on the KTM and six minutes left on the clock.

Kaito Toba crashed the second CIP machine out of contention at turn two as the final runs prepared, Bye SKX’s Ana Carrasco promoting herself to tenth in the times above Josh Whatley on the VisionTrack Honda.

Garcia was back on track and running red sectors as the final two minutes began, the Aspar securing second at the line for his place in the final shootout. The heat continued as the concluding laps began to register, Stefano Nepa the first to meet the flag on his way to fourth with a precarious wait for the pack to come home.

The late shuffle found Garcia on top with a 1’42.302 and home hero Aji, Artigas and Alberta Surra clinching the remaining promotion places, despite a late