Alonso continues to break records ahead of qualifying

Moto3™ kicked off Saturday’s action at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France with David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) remaining at the top of the timesheets on Saturday morning. The Colombian found time in Practice 2, rocketing to the line to set a 1:40.121 – yet another lap record. The #80 was 0.402s quicker than the rest of the field, with Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP’s Collin Veijer unable to match the pace, ending the session in second. Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) took third position in the combined standings ahead of qualifying after an impressive fast lap in the closing stages of the session allowed the Japanese rider to finish 0.476s adrift from the top spot.

Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) was extremely impressive, ending Practice 2 in fourth and able to go quicker than Alonso’s 1:40.121 for the first two sectors before losing time at the end of the lap. Piqueras was also the top Honda and was ahead of Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) rounded out the top five – a mere 0.754s adrift from teammate Alonso. BOE Motorsports’ Joel Kelso completed 15 laps throughout the session, capping off a good morning for the Australian in sixth position. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took seventh position, setting a brilliant 1:40.935 as the #99 continues to show pace in 2024 since returning at the French GP. Rueda was ahead of Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power) who was the last rider in the 1:40 bracket on Saturday morning. 

Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) ended Practice 2 inside the top 10, crossing the line to take ninth ahead of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Daniel Holgado. The #96 was the only rider inside the top 14 who didn’t improve on Friday’s time on Saturday morning. Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) was 11^th after a huge moment with Rossi late in the session, ending Practice 2 ahead of Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez, who rounded out the top 12. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsport) scrapped the final spots for direct entry to Q2 later on.

However, many big names will now have to battle for the top four positions in Q1, including both LEVELUP – MTA machines of Stefano Nepa and Nicola Carraro. Scott Ogden (MLav Racing) will join them in Q1 after losing out on a spot inside the top 14 in the last 10 minutes of the session. Moto3™ veteran Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) will be one to watch, ending Practice 2 in 18^th, ready to battle in qualifying later in the day.

Next up is qualifying at 12:50 local time (UTC +2), so make sure you don't miss it and tune into all the action on motogp.com!

Combined top 10:

FULL RESULTS!