Bertelle takes pole position in Moto3 Buriram qualifying

Italian rider Nicola Bertelle clocks 1:40.400 to secure pole in Buriram as fierce competition unfolds in Moto3 qualifying.

Matteo Bertelle of Italy and LEVELUP - MTA heads down a straight during the MotoGP of Thailand qualifying at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on March 1, 2025. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Adila Ghina

Nicola Bertelle delivered an outstanding performance in the Moto3 Buriram qualifying session, securing pole position with a best lap time of 1:40.400. The Italian LevelUp MTA rider, who has been competing in the lightweight category of the Grand Prix World Championship for three seasons, marked this as a major milestone in his career.

"I am very happy. I dedicate this pole position to the team. I will do my best in the race, although I have to be aware of the temperature and tire conditions," said Bertelle, who rides with the number 18.

Bertelle will lead the front row of the starting grid alongside Stefano Nepa in second and Jose Antonio Rueda in third. Rueda, who had shown strong pace in the previous three sessions with Red Bull KTM Ajo, could not hide his disappointment after missing out on pole position.

Scott Ogden, who posted a lap time of 1:40.539, will start from the second row alongside Luca Lunetta. Another standout performer was Alvaro Carpe, a rookie in the Moto3 2025 season, who secured an impressive sixth-place start.

Fierce competition in Moto3 qualifying

The qualifying session saw intense battles throughout the field. David Almansa, Joel Kelso, and Taiyo Furusato will start from the third row, followed by David Muñoz, Adrian Fernandez, and Riccardo Rossi in the fourth row.

JuniorGP champion Alvaro Carpe had to fight hard to secure his spot in Q2. He engaged in a tight battle with local favorite Tatchakorn Buasri, who was representing Honda Team Asia. The Thai rider briefly topped the timesheets before Carpe reclaimed his position in the final moments.

Another notable performance came from Valentin Perrone, who finished third in the 2024 Red Bull Rookies Cup. He displayed an aggressive run, making his way into the top ten. The final Q2 slot was taken by Adrian Cruces, who delivered a strong lap in the closing minutes of the session.

Dramatic moment at the final corner

As the session neared its conclusion, Carpe, Buasri, Dennis Foggia, and Eddie O’Shea secured their places in Q2. However, the qualifying round was not without incident. Guido Pini suffered a highside crash at Turn 12, causing a dramatic moment on track. Fortunately, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 duo of Carpe and Esteban managed to avoid the fallen Moto3 rookie.

With the qualifying session now settled, anticipation is building for the Moto3 race in Buriram. Bertelle holds a strong chance of converting his pole position into victory, but he will face tough competition from Rueda, Ogden, and other determined contenders on race day.