Here is the thing about Moto3 Fridays: they always bite when you least expect it. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) put down a marker on the opening day of the Australian GP, topping the timesheets with a 1’35.292 to lead the charge as he chases that elusive maiden Grand Prix victory. Seeking absolute redemption after a DNF in Indonesia, Carpe is clearly eager to replicate his podium performance from 12 months ago.
Just behind him, the local grandstands have every reason to scream. Joel Kelso (Gryd Racing) delighted the home crowd by storming to second place in Practice, finishing a razor-thin 0.026s adrift of the pacesetter. Right in their wheeltracks was newly-crowned World Champion Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), ending the day less than a tenth off the top spot. Quiles, sporting the #28, elected to keep his rubber bolted on for the duration of the session just to flex some serious race-pace muscle.
Further down the order, David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) found himself slightly outside the top three in fourth position. A late flyer from Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) thrust the British rider into P5 overall, closely followed by Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) after both capitalized on late improvements. Meanwhile, Khiattisak Singhapong (Rivacold Snipers Team) delivered a stand-out ride to secure a direct ticket into Q2 for the very first time with a brilliant P10.
Not everyone had a smooth Friday afternoon. Outside of the vital top 14 cutoff, Eddie O’Shea (GRYD Racing) missed the mark by a tiny 0.023s. He was joined on the outside looking in by Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia), first-time Phillip Island visitor and rookie Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower), and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing), who suffered a crash at Turn 4.
Action resumes when Moto3 qualifying gets underway.
