Rabat Rapid As Qualifying Looms

May 30, 2015
2 min read

Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Tito Rabat staked his claim for pole position later today by setting the fastest ever Moto3 lap of the Mugello circuit in FP3. The 2014 race winner guided his Kalex to a 1:51.820 on the twentieth of 24 laps. He'll need to replicate that lap in qualifying for the record to be official but, considering it was over half a second quicker than Pol Espargaro's lap from 2012, I have no doubt that he can.

Sam Lowes was very close to breaking into the 1:51's, but had to settle for 2nd quickest after a very quick lap of 1:52.014. For a time he held top spot and will go into qualifying quietly confident. Johann Zarco completed the top three once again, indicating a Rabat/Lowes/Zarco shoot-out for pole this afternoon.

Tom Luthi was some way off in 4th, though the Swiss rider can be very happy with how his weekend has gone so far as he looked fast and consistent. Never has the Interwetten Kalex rider won back-to-back races, so expect him to ramp up his pace this afternoon to give himself the best of chance of doing so tomorrow.

Luis Salom was a decent 5th after a slow start to yesterday's proceedings, whilst team-mate Alex Rins continued to improve in 8th. Both Paginas Amarillas riders will be working together come qualifying to give themselves the best chance of getting onto the front two rows.

Simone Corsi could spring a surprise on the Forward Racing Kalex tomorrow after a fairly consistent long run in FP3. That hinges on how well qualifying goes, but 6th after practice is a positive sign of things to come for the Italian.

Xavier Simeon and Jonas Folger completed the top ten.

FP3 Top 10:

1st Tito Rabat, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Kalex, 1:51.820

2nd Sam Lowes, Speed Up Racing, 1:52.014

3rd Johann Zarco, Ajo Motorsport Kalex, 1:52.34

4th Tom Luthi, Derendinger Racing Interwetten Kalex, 1:52.511

5th Luis Salom, Paginas Amarillas HP 40 Kalex, 1:52.540

6th Simone Corsi, Athina Forward Racing Kalex, 1:52.633

7th Axel Pons, AGR Team Kalex, 1:52.713

8th Alex Rins, Paginas Amarillas HP 40 Kalex, 1:52.843

9th Xavier Simeon, Federal Oil Gresini Team Moto2, 1:52.910

10th Jonas Folger, AGR Team Kalex, 1:52.972