MotorLand Aragon challenges Veijer and Suzuki
The LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 duo consisting of Collin Veijer and Tatsuki Suzuki had a challenging start to the twelfth race weekend of the season. In changeable track conditions, the Dutchman finished P9 in Qualifying 2, while the Japanese rider was classified fifth in Q1.
The 5.08 km track offers the perfect amount of variety with its fast sections followed by numerous corners with a few meters of difference in elevation. If the weather then makes for difficult conditions, together with the highly competitive Moto3 class, you have everything you need for an exciting qualifying day.
The first sessions of the weekend saw Dutch rider Collin Veijer in fourth place, 0.7 seconds behind world championship leader David Alonso, who meanwhile won every practice session. Due to the still-wet asphalt on Saturday morning, Friday's times ultimately decided who had to take part in which qualifying session. Thanks to the 1'57.842 from P1, the 19-year-old kept his place in Q2, where he finished ninth and secured a solid grid position on the third row for the 17-lap race on Sunday at 11:00 am. The talented youngster is certainly confident, as the trust in himself and his Husqvarna is high and Veijer hopes to be able to chase his next podium in the twelfth Grand Prix of the year.
For Tatsuki Suzuki, too, the Aragon Grand Prix was definitely a challenge. While the 26-year-old was still just behind his team-mate in eighth place in free practice on Friday morning, the gap to the top widened further in the subsequent sessions, making a start in Q1 unavoidable for the Japanese rider. Suzuki pushed himself and his bike to the limit, but unfortunately, he just missed out on Q2 in fifth place. The experienced rider will ultimately start the twelfth Moto3 battle of the year from the seventh row in 19th position. Like Veijer, Suzuki will be hoping for a good start and the chance to make up ground early on in the race and then set course for the top 10.
Results
FP
1. David ALONSO/ COL/ CFMOTO – 1'59.683
2. Jose Antonio RUEDA/ SPA/ KTM – 1'59.739 (+0.056)
3. David ALMANSA/ SPA/ HONDA – 1'59.944 (+0.261)
7. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 2'00.530 (+0.847)
8. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 2'00.665 (+0.982)
P1
1. David ALONSO/ COL/ CFMOTO – 1'57.052
2. Jose Antonio RUEDA/ SPA/ KTM – 1'57.262 (+0.210)
3. David ALMANSA/ SPA/ HONDA – 1'57.616 (+0.564)
4. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 1'57.842 (+0.790)
16. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 1'58.675 (+1.623)
P2
1. David ALONSO/ COL/ CFMOTO – 2'14.506
2. Xabi ZURUTUZA/ SPA/ KTM – 2'15.572 (+1.066)
3. Jose Antonio RUEDA/ SPA/ KTM – 2'15.664 (+1.158)
13. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 2'17.567 (+3.061)
15. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 2'17.713 (+3.207)
Q1
1. Matteo BERTELLE/ ITA/ HONDA – 2'00.955
2. Taiyo FURUSATO/ JPN/ HONDA – 2'01.565 (+0.610)
3. Filippo FARIOLI/ ITA/ HONDA – 2'01.629 (+0.674)
5. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 2'02.322 (+1.367)
Q2
1. David ALONSO/ COL/ CFMOTO – 1'58.059
2. Jose Antonio RUEDA/ SPA/ KTM – 1'58.492 (+0.433)
3. David MUÑOZ/ SPA/ KTM – 1'59.064 (+1.005)
9. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 1'59.717 (+1.658)
