The 2025 Portuguese Moto3 Qualifying: A Thrilling Race for Pole Position!
Get ready for a high-octane recap of the Moto3 qualifying session at the Portuguese Grand Prix! The competition was fierce, the track conditions challenging, and the results, well, they'll keep you on the edge of your seat.
Joel Kelso of LEVELUP - MTA stole the show, securing his second pole position of the season at Portimao. This impressive feat adds to his already stellar record, following his pole win in Australia. Kelso's final lap, a blistering 1m36.764s, catapulted him from fourth to first, leaving the crowd in awe.
Scott Ogden of CIP Green Power put up a valiant fight, riding with his absent teammate Noah Dettwiler in mind, and came close to taking the provisional pole. He finished just 0.069s behind Kelso.
The morning practice session saw a wet track, courtesy of an overnight downpour. Angel Piqueras of Frinsa - MT Helmets - MSI excelled in these conditions, briefly leading the timesheets and ultimately securing third place, completing the front row.
Maximo Quiles, who had initially led the session, unfortunately crashed, pushing him back to fourth place.
But here's where it gets controversial... Rookie Guido Pini showcased his skills by securing fifth place after coming through Q1. Joel Esteban also advanced from Q1, achieving an impressive sixth place for Red Bull KTM Tech3. Casey O'Gorman, now with Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP, secured seventh place.
Adrian Fernandez was the top Leopard rider and top Honda in eighth. David Almansa, who had a podium finish, placed ninth. Valentin Perrone rounded out the top ten for Red Bull KTM Tech3.
Here's a quick look at the top 10 results:
- Joel Kelso (AUS) - LEVELUP - MTA (KTM) - 1m 46.764s
- Scott Ogden (GBR) - CIP Green Power (KTM) - +0.069s
- Angel Piqueras (SPA) - FRINSA -MT Helmets - MSI (KTM) - +0.163s
- Maximo Qulies (SPA) - CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team (KTM) - +0.280s
- Guido Pini (ITA) - Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) - +0.297s
- Joel Esteban (SPA) - Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) - +0.303s
- Casey O'Gorman (IRL) - Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (KTM) - +0.395s
- Adrian Fernandez (SPA) - Leopard Racing (Honda) - +0.425s
- David Almansa (SPA) - Leopard Racing (Honda) - +0.438s
- Valentin Perrone (ARG) - Red Bull KTM Tech3 (KTM) - +0.467s
Taiyo Furusato of Honda Team Asia secured eleventh place, while Luca Lunetta finished in fifteenth. Hakim Danish, returning as a replacement rider, qualified in seventeenth place. Brian Uriarte, filling in for Rueda, qualified in fourteenth.
And this is the part most people miss... The first qualifying session (Q1) saw Esteban set the fastest time, with Pini and Marco Morelli also advancing. Zen Mitani and Cormac Buchanan faced challenges, with Buchanan experiencing his third crash of the weekend.
What do you think? Were you surprised by any of the results? Do you think the wet track played a significant role in the outcome? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
