It was a fine showing from David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) to top the first day of Moto3 action at Le Mans, France.
The French GP never lets us down and Muñoz, who was in contention for victory last year, will be looking to bag a first win of his 2026 campaign as he laid down the gauntlet.
The #64 was inside the leading positions for most of the session before deposing teammate David Almansa from top spot in the closing stages. Almansa had been in P1 for the majority of the session before Muñoz rocketed up the order late on; Almansa suffered a fall on his final flying lap at Turn 8 but was all OK. Completing the top three, Argentinean star Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) who was in good Friday form.
Just behind the top three, Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) was a strong fourth ahead of a late-charging Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jerez podium finisher Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing). Other headlines in the top ten were Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) in seventh for his team’s home GP and Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in P8 despite an early fall at Turn 6. It was a strong Friday for the Gryd – MLav Racing outfit with both Joel Kelso and Eddie O’Shea moving into Q2 directly.
There were major names who found themselves out of the top 14 at the chequered flag and therefore going into Q1. COTA winner Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) was only 15th after a crash whilst a crash for Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who is second in the standings and who led the opening FP1 session at Le Mans, could only manage P17. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) has been on the front two rows in the last three GPs but will need to go through Q1 to keep that streak alive.
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