Zarco takes pole position in Portimão

The rain and gray weather finally gave way to the sun near Portimão, right at the right time for qualifying for the Portuguese GP.

Despite an apparently dry track, it was a matter of not being trapped and this was precisely the case for Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini. The first made a mistake at the start of Q1, passing over a puddle. Stunned, the Italian was taken to the medical center for examinations. For his part, Bastianini fell at the end of Q1 while trying to snatch one of the two places available to reach Q1.

Results for the two Ducati riders: Bastianini will start from 18^e position and Bagnaia, who has not recorded a single time, will start last on the grid; a nightmare for the one who won here last year from pole.

It was ultimately Alex Marquez and Luca Marini who won the right to join Q2, which was very hotly contested. One by one, the protagonists of the category rose to the top of the ranking; Luca Marini, Alex Marquez, Joan Mir, Jack Miller and Johann Zarco… and many times were canceled. All in all, it was the Frenchman who got the last word.

Zarco actually set the best time in 1'42.003, returning to pole position for the first time since Germany last year. He will start on Sunday ahead of Joan Mir and Aleix Espargaro. On the second row, we will find Jack Miller and fabio quartararo, who is doing quite well with the fifth beat. Marco Bezzecchi, surprising rookie, will occupy sixth place.

Followed by Alex Marquez, who made a mistake in the last seconds, Luca Marini and Marc Marquez whose time was canceled after his final fast lap following the fall of his teammate Pol Espargaro, 10^e on the grid.

The two KTMs of Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder will complete the fourth row in front of Jorge Martin who misses the front row for the first time since Algarve last year.

Ranking