Here is the thing about leaving everything to the very last moment: most of the time, it ends in total disaster. But when it works, it looks absolute magic. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) backed himself into a corner with precious few opportunities remaining to make a pole bid count at the Red Bull Ring, yet when the decisive lap arrived, a single attempt was all he required.
The Spaniard hammered in a stunning 1:39.544 on his final flying lap to snatch pole position from David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) by just 0.064s. Not satisfied with merely stealing P1 at Red Bull KTM’s home Grand Prix, the lap also established a brand new all-time lap record.
Before that late heartbreak, Almansa looked fully prepared to continue his sensational qualifying streak. Running the #22 machine, he initially lowered the benchmark into record territory with a 1:39.608 to put himself in prime position for another pole. But Uriarte saved his absolute best for the closing seconds, finding more than half a second compared with his previous valid effort.
Further back, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) needed a late escape of his own. The championship contender suffered a frustrating session after watching lap times vanish for exceeding track limits, including one effort lost after touching the green. With the pressure mounting, Carpe finally pieced together his one and only valid flying lap—a 1:39.859—that launched him straight onto the front row in third place.
That late charge secured a double front row lock-out for Red Bull KTM Ajo on home soil. Meanwhile, Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) had to settle for fourth, despite producing a headline-making moment earlier in the session with an incredible save after overshooting at Jochen Rindt. He regrouped to post a 1:39.981, meaning the top four riders in the World Championship occupy the first four spots on the grid.
Rounding out the order, Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) leads the second row ahead of Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) and Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing). Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA), David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), and Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completed the top ten.
With Almansa’s pole streak finally halted and both Red Bull KTM Ajo machines locked onto the front row, Sunday’s Moto3 showdown at the Red Bull Ring is perfectly poised to be an unforgettable lightweight battle.
