Leopard’s Dennis Foggia topped Moto3’s FP3 times at the Circuit of the Americas despite running three-tenths down on his Friday best.
Red Bull KTM’s Jaume Masia and Rivacold Snipers’ Andrea Migno completed the top three in the final free practice at the Austin track, with Daniel Holgado outpacing his Ajo teammate in the combined times.
Early action in the lightweight class placed Masia at the head the times on the KTM from CFMoto’s Carlos Tatay before Izan Guevara took charge on the GasGas Aspar.
A dramatic collision finding Rivacold’s Alberta Surra enduring his second crash of the weekend after clipping Ryusei Yamanaka down the back straight bringing out the red flag. Ivan Ortola and Surra under investigation in the aftermath.
The session resumed with 25 minutes on the clock. Leopard’s Tatsuki Suzuki crashing out as his teammate hit the top with a 1’17.162 - still almost two seconds down on his own Friday target - with Guevara bettering half a second clear moments later. Migno joined the party at the halfway stage as he made his way to third in the session, Stefano Nepa and Tatay completing the top five. The MTA rider the first to advance on his previous pace, but from 18th overall.
The top three continued to switch positions as the clock counted down, Migno taking charge with a 2’16.2 as the track fell silent ahead of the closing ten minute push.
KTM Ajo sent their riders out on an empty track while the pack waited in its usual style to satisfying results as Masia took charge of the practice times thanks to a 2’16.259. Holgado improving his times to sit eleventh then fifth on the tail of his teammate as the rest of the grid rolled out with four minutes to go. Scott Ogden circulating in 15th ahead of the final shuffle, and 20th overall on the VisionTrack Honda.
The top 14 battle saw Surra dropped out of Q2 contention as Matteo Bertelle then Joel Kelso advanced their pace to claim the final promotion position. Just four riders improving on their Friday efforts as Foggia’s 2’15.440 lap held fast overall.
