The 2025 Australian Moto3 Grand Prix kicked off with a thrilling Friday practice session that left fans on the edge of their seats. But here's where it gets controversial... While David Almansa secured the top spot with a record-breaking lap at Phillip Island, his path to victory wasn't without drama. Let's dive into the action-packed day that set the stage for an unforgettable race weekend.
As the track dried under persistent winds, Almansa seized the moment, clocking a stunning 1m 34.726s lap time. And this is the part most people miss... His success wasn't just about speed—it was also about strategy. Positioned behind newly crowned champion Jose Antonio Rueda, Almansa capitalized on a two-bike slipstream to shatter the lap record. But is this tactic fair play, or just clever racing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Almansa's teammate, Adrian Fernandez, trailed closely in second place, 0.392s behind. Meanwhile, Alvaro Carpe, the top rookie, secured third place for Red Bull KTM Ajo with a late surge in the final minutes. Angel Piqueras and Joel Kelso followed in fourth and fifth, respectively, despite Kelso's preference for running solo on the track.
Guido Pini claimed sixth place for Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP, just ahead of Rueda in seventh. Maximo Quiles, Luca Lunetta, and Stefano Nepa rounded out the top ten. Jacob Roulstone faced a nerve-wracking wait after technical issues prevented him from defending his time, leaving him in eleventh place.
But here's the real question... Should Almansa face penalties for his race day long lap, stemming from an incident in Indonesia where he took out Taiyo Furusato, who then collided with Alvaro Carpe? Or is this just part of the high-stakes world of Moto3? Share your opinions below!
The remaining Q2 spots went to replacement rider Joel Esteban, stepping in for Dennis Foggia due to pneumonia, and Ryusei Yamanaka. Nicola Carraro narrowly missed out, as the chequered flag waved before riders could complete their final laps.
FP1 began on a slippery note, with Tatchakorn Buasri and Brian Uriarte among the early fallers. Uriarte, replacing David Munoz after a leg injury, struggled to find his footing. Cormac Buchanan and Esteban also faced setbacks, while Fernandez topped the session ahead of Quiles, the best rookie in the opening session.
Limited laps and bike issues left Eddie O’Shea at the bottom of the leaderboard, a position he couldn't escape in the second session. But is this a sign of things to come, or just a temporary setback? Only time will tell.
Here’s a breakdown of the results:
2025 Australian Moto3 - Practice (2) Results
1. David Almansa (SPA) - Leopard Racing (Honda) - 1m 34.726s
2. Adrian Fernandez (SPA) - Leopard Racing (Honda) +0.392s
3. Alvaro Carpe (SPA) - Red Bull KTM Ajo (KTM) +0.562s
... (remaining results as per original content)
2025 Australian Moto3 - Free Practice (1) Results
1. Adrian Fernandez (SPA) - Leopard Racing (Honda) - 1m 44.461s
2. Maximo Quiles (SPA) - CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) +0.356s
3. David Almansa (SPA) - Leopard Racing (Honda) +0.549s
... (remaining results as per original content)
As the dust settles on Friday's practice, one thing is clear: this race weekend is shaping up to be a battle of strategy, skill, and sheer determination. Who will come out on top? And what controversies will arise along the way? Stay tuned, and don't forget to share your predictions and opinions in the comments!
