Portimao MotoGP, Portugal - Full Qualifying Results
Quartararo claims pole position for the Portimao MotoGP round after Bagnaia loses his best time, and a new lap record, due to yellow flags after a fall for home star Oliveira.
The Ducati rider thus drops all the way down to 11th, while Rins and world championship leader Zarco (who fell at the start of the session) complete the revised front row.
Quartararo admitted it was something of a hollow pole position given Bagnaia's time, although replays confirmed the Italian passed a waved yellow flag, albeit located outside of his clear vision as he leaned his head to the inside of the upcoming corner.
It wasn't just Bagnaia who was left fuming after the session with Vinales down in 12th after losing two laps for triggering the track limits sensors.
Marc Marquez and Mir had advanced through Qualifying 1, where the Repsol Honda rider followed the Suzuki. The #93 then waited until near the end of Qualifying 2 before heading out for a single run... just behind Mir's team-mate Rins, who towed Marquez to a brief high of third, before breaking clear of the Honda.
Eight-time world champion Marquez is returning to MotoGP action for the first time since July 25, having been sidelined for the past nine months due to complications with his broken right arm, which eventually required three operations.
Rookie star Jorge Martin, on pole position and the podium in Qatar, has been ruled out of the remainder of the weekend after suffering a head contusion, plus right hand and ankle contusions during a big accident in the closing stages of FP3.
Takaaki Nakagami was also absent this afternoon due to injuries from FRiday, but hopes to try and ride tomorrow.
CLICK HERE for live updates…
| Portimao MotoGP, Portugal - Full Qualifying Results | ||||||
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff | Lap | Max |
| 1 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1'38.862s | 5/7 | 334k |
| 2 | Alex Rins | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.089s | 7/7 | 334k |
| 3 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Pramac Ducati (GP21) | +0.129s | 5/6 | 345k |
| 4 | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.199s | 6/8 | 342k |
| 5 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.241s | 7/7 | 328k |
| 6 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +0.259s | 2/3 | 332k |
| 7 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) | +0.307s | 7/7 | 338k |
| 8 | Luca Marini | ITA | Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | +0.524s | 6/8 | 338k |
| 9 | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.536s | 3/8 | 330k |
| 10 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.583s | 6/6 | 330k |
| 11 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.620s | 6/8 | 340k |
| 12 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.945s | 2/7 | 331k |
| Qualifying 1: | ||||||
| 13 | Alex Marquez | SPA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | 1'39.53s | 3/8 | 338k |
| 14 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | 1'39.71s | 7/8 | 334k |
| 15 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 1'39.776s | 7/8 | 336k |
| 16 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | 1'39.855s | 3/8 | 339k |
| 17 | Valentino Rossi | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1'39.943s | 3/8 | 334k |
| 18 | Danilo Petrucci | ITA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | 1'40.202s | 8/8 | 336k |
| 19 | Iker Lecuona | SPA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | 1'40.408s | 7/8 | 336k |
| 20 | Lorenzo Savadori | ITA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* | 1'40.444s | 2/8 | 336k |
| Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | No Time | 0/0 | 0 | |
* Rookie.
Fastest Practice time:
Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 1m 39.044s
(FP2) Official Portimao MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Miguel Oliveira POR KTM 1m 38.892s (2020)
Fastest race lap:
Miguel Oliveira POR KTM 1m 39.855s (2020)
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
