Deniz Oncu upheld his bid for a late charge at the 2023 Moto3 World Championship title as he claimed pole position for the Thailand Moto3, while points’ leader Jaume Masia could only manage seventh.

Following victory last time out in Australia, the Turk comes into the Buriram round - one of four remaining on this year’s schedule - with a slim chance of success, some 37 points behind Masia.

However, after claiming his third win of the season by passing for the lead within sight of the chequered flag once again, Oncu set himself up for a simpler Sunday run by claiming pole position over Diogo Moreira.

Meaning a 1-2 for the two most recent race winners in Moto3, they will be joined on the front row by Sasaki, the Japanese rider hoping he can finally click off his first win of the 2023 Moto3 season as he attempts to bridge the slim four point gap to Masia in front.

Masia, meanwhile, will have work to do from seventh after failing to get his laps hooked up due to yellow flags. He gets underway behind a second row of Collin Veijer, Ryusei Yamanaka and Taiyo Furusato, the latter grabbing sixth despite suffering a late fall.

Of the other title contenders, Daniel Holgado and David Alonso - 22 and 37 points adrift respectively - face an uphill task from 11th and 12th on the grid.

Josh Whatley emerged as the best of the British duo in 21st, while Scott Ogden could only manage 26th