MotoGP Valencia: Moto3 Champion Guevara takes final pole

Valresa GasGas Aspar’s newly crowned champion Izan Guevara continued to control Moto3 action with the final pole of 2022 at Valencia.

A heated session saw less than two-tenths cover the top three riders as Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü and Aspar teammate Sergio Garcia completed the front row. The latter’s rivals for the runner-up spot, Ayumu Sasaki and Dennis Foggia, starting fifth and seventh respectively.

Adrian Fernandez kicked off qualifying in the gravel as the Tech3 KTM crashed out at turn 11, with cold tyres still causing issues in the cool November sun. Aspar wildcard Filippo Farioli suffering a similar fate at turn two seconds later.

Sterilgarda Husqvarna’s Sasaki pulled straight back into the pits after claiming second on his opening flyer. Nicola Fabio Carraro setting the outright 1’39.268 pace on the QJ Avintia with CIP Green Power’s Joel Kelso and KTM Ajo’s Jaume Masia holding the final promotion places.

Back on track and instantly setting red sectors, Sasaki rose to P1 with a 1’38.857. BOE’s David Muñoz following suit for second, three tenths adrift. Farioli likewise back in action and circulating sixth from the second Avintia of Elia Bartolini, BOE wildcard David Almansa and Sic58s’ Lorenzo Fellon while Rivacold Snipers’ Andrea Migno continued his late season struggles from tenth.

A final effort from Masia promoted the Red Bull to second as Kelso dropped out of contention as the chequered flag fell. The Spaniard set to start Sunday’s finale from pitlane after a trackside fight with CIP’s Kaito Toba, the pair also facing a fine for the altercation.

Tatsuki Suzuki led the way in Q2 with a 1’38.875 on the Leopard Honda. Sasaki crashing out as he prepared for his first flying lap with countryman and FP3