MotoGP: Zarco nips Mir for pole in Algarve Portugal

Weather was once again a major player in the day’s action in the Algarve as morning rain was replaced by a drying track and strong sun in the afternoon.

With great risk often comes great reward is an adage all 12 MotoGP riders in Q2 were following as they tackled a patchy Algarve International Circuit with slick tyres. In a thrilling final 30 seconds that saw four riders provisionally sitting at the top of the pile, pole position, in the end, went the way of the final man to cross the line: experienced Frenchman Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing).

The 31-year-old denied Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Joan Mir a debut MotoGP™ pole seconds after Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) had sneaked his way onto the front row.

Qualifying Results – Portuguese Grand Prix

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Zarco Johann 5 FRA Pramac Racing Ducati 1’42.003
2 Mir Joan 36 SPA Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 0.195
3 Espargaro Aleix 41 SPA Aprilia Racing Aprilia 0.232
4 Miller Jack 43 AUS Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 0.500
5 Quartararo Fabio 20 FRA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 0.713
6 Bezzecchi Marco 73 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati 0.713
7 Marquez Alex 73 SPA LCR Honda Honda 0.900
8 Marini Luca 10 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati 1.176
9 Marquez Marc 93 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1.572
10 Espargaro Pol 44 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1.829
11 Oliveira Miguel 88 POR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 2.063
12 Binder Brad 33 RSA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 2.707
13 Martin Jorge 89 SPA Pramac Racing Ducati 1.620 Q1
14 Vinales Maverick 12 SPA Aprilia Racing Aprilia 3.016
15 Di Giannantonio Fabio 49 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 3.323
16 Dovizioso Andrea 4 ITA WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Yamaha 3.379
17 Nakagami Takaaki 30 JPN LCR Honda Honda 3.573
18 Bastianini Enea 23 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 4.302
19 Morbidelli Franco 21 ITA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 4.386
20 Gardner Remy 87 AUS Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing KTM 4.637
21 Savadori Lorenzo 32 ITA Aprilia Racing Test Team Aprilia 4.992
22 Binder Darryn 40 RSA WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Yamaha 5.323
23 Rins Alex 42 SPA Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 5.984
24 Fernandez Raul 25 SPA Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing KTM 7.287
25 Bagnaia Francesco 62 ITA Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati No Time Set