How Did Bezzecchi Secure Pole Over Acosta and Quartararo in Portugal GP?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Marco Bezzecchi achieved pole position with a time of 1:37.556.
- Pedro Acosta secured P2, marking his first front row start this season.
- Fabio Quartararo demonstrated his skills by finishing in P3.
- Track conditions were challenging yet conducive to fast lap times.
- Intense competition was evident throughout the session.
Portimao (Portugal), Nov 8 (NationPress) Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) clinched the pole position for the Grand Prix of Portugal with an impressive time of 1:37.556 during an intense MotoGP Q2. This qualifying session saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) achieve his first front row start of the season, finishing in P2. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who graduated from Q1, secured third place, once again showcasing his talent during qualifying.
The initial lap time in the dry yet challenging conditions was clocked by Quartararo at 1:40.031, a time quickly surpassed by his competitors. Three riders soon entered the 1:39 bracket: Quartararo, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), and Nicolo Bulega (Ducati Lenovo Team).
With just two minutes remaining, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) surged to P1 with a time just under a tenth, but as track conditions improved, Quartararo responded by bettering Marini’s time by three tenths. By following his Yamaha teammate, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) also advanced into Q2.
Having gained momentum from Q1, Quartararo opened Q2 with the fastest lap of the day at 1:38.518. However, during the second flying laps, times began to drop, and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) momentarily took P1. Bezzecchi was close behind at only 0.027s, with Acosta also within striking distance.
At the end of the initial runs, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) found himself in P4, 0.415s behind Marquez’s 1:38.098, while Quartararo and Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) held provisional P5 and P6 on the second row.
Yet, the situation was about to change. Bezzecchi was the first to set a new benchmark with a time of 1:37.556. Acosta followed in P2 but trailed Bezzecchi by over three tenths, while Miller climbed into the top five from P12. Marquez’s subsequent attempt only secured him P3, and when Quartararo improved his position to P2, Marquez’s session ended abruptly due to a crash at Turn 3.
Acosta managed to retake P2, but he too couldn’t improve beyond that, while Bezzecchi maintained his lead. Bagnaia, despite a strong Sector 3, finished P4, falling behind Marquez. Ultimately, Bezzecchi held onto a phenomenal pole position, with Acosta and Quartararo rounding out an exciting front row.
At the conclusion of the day, Bagnaia leads the second row in P4, followed by Marquez and Johann Zarco (Honda LCR). Joan Mir (HRC) will start from P7 alongside Miller and Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Racing Team). Pol Espargaro (KTM Factory Racing) secured P10, leading to Aldeguer and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) starting from P11 and P12.