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 |