- Acosta is sensational around the spectacular curves of the Algarve International Circuit and takes three points for 7th
- Augusto Fernandez chases improvements through Friday and Saturday to score 15th
- Moto3™ top four for Daniel Holgado after a rapid Q2 outing as Jacob Roulstone qualifies 15th
The Algarve International Circuit was initially sparse for Portuguese sunshine for what was the fifth running of a MotoGP Grand Prix at the technically demanding layout but the speeds and action through Saturday’s busy program kept the temperature up.
Pedro Acosta ventured to Portimao as one of the very few riders to have taken multiple wins in two classes and with happy memories of the circuit as the site of his debut GP success in Moto3 in 2021. The Spaniard immediately drilled the GASGAS RC16 to competitive lap-times and was unlucky to miss direct Q2 entry by one position and a slither of a second on Friday. Pedro got to work on Saturday and dealt with Q1 swiftly, moving into Q2 thanks to 2nd place. Finally graced with sunshine, the quali session blasted by and Acosta reached as high as 5th, ending the chrono with 7th: less than half a second from Pole and with a view from the third row of the grid.
Augusto Fernandez ended Friday in 21st. #37 took 8th in Q1 and started the Sprint from 18th: eight tenths of a second from his teammate.
For only the second MotoGP Sprint of his career, Acosta looked lively in the reaches of the top ten and set the fastest lap of the race at mid-distance. He worked his way up to 7th and crossed the line five seconds from the rear wheel of the victor. Fernandez toiled outside the points and brought the bike to the flag in 15th to bank important data for some potential setup changes ahead of the 25-lap chase on Sunday.
MotoGP fires into motion at 15.00 CET on Sunday afternoon.
Pedro Acosta, 7th in qualifying, 7th in the Sprint: “Super-nice day and we improved a lot from Friday with how I feel on the bike and the steps we made with my riding. It was quite tricky to start from zero here on the MotoGP bike so we have to feel happy. We are competitive again and we are working hard to have the bike we want. From the Sprint; we need to take more experience from the start and the first laps. We are on the way, and we will keep working.”
Augusto Fernandez, 18th in qualifying, 15th in the Sprint: “Difficult Sprint but it was the first time I could improve my lap-times towards the end of the race and when the tire drop came. It’s closer to the front guys and that gives me some confidence. Tomorrow with the medium rear and less grip might be better for me – like it was last year – so we’ll try to grab some points tomorrow.”
Nicolas Goyon, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 Team Manager: “We had a few question marks for Pedro’s performance coming here and without testing time but knowing him more now and knowing his past potential at this circuit we were confident. He missed some good laps in FP1 because of the conditions but was still so close to Q2 directly. He experienced Q1 and the process of exiting that session; it was an unbelievable performance to then score 7th on the grid. His best yet. A bad start in the Sprint but he then rode with a strong pace to 7th and another personal best. We are hopeful tomorrow’s race will be another good one. With Augusto we are trying to find a bike that really suits him. The front end was an improvement so now we need to focus on the rear end and that’s our main target and we won’t give up until he’s satisfied.”
Results Qualifying MotoGP Grand Prix of Portugal
1. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Ducati 1:37.706
2. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Aprilia +0.082
3. Jorge Martin (ESP) Ducati +0.106
5. Jack Miller (AUS) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.326
7. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +0.432
10. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.706
18. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +1:38.934 (Q1)
Results MotoGP Sprint Grand Prix of Portugal
1. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Aprilia 19:49.636
2. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati +1.039
3. Jorge Martin (ESP) Ducati +1.122
5. Jack Miller (AUS) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +4.329
7. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +5.088
15. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +14.853
DNF. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Moto3
Daniel Holgado had started the 2024 season in a strong way with Pole Position, laps-led and a runner-up slot two weeks ago in Qatar and was keen to carry on the momentum in Portugal. The Spaniard filtered comfortably through to Q2 with his Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 machine and then swept around the Algarve International Circuit – where he was victorious in 2023 – to take the 4th best time and the tip of the second row of the grid. Jacob Roulstone has marginal knowledge of the track in Portimao from his efforts in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup where he scored a top ten finish in 2023. The Australian rode to the 14th fastest lap.
Moto3 gets underway at 12.00 CET.
Grand Prix of Portugal MotoGP photographs can be found HERE
Results Qualifying Moto3 Grand Prix of Portugal
1. Jose Antonio Rueda (ESP), KTM 1:46.379
2. Joel Kelso (AUS), KTM +0.059
3. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO +0.118
4. Daniel Holgado (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +0.168
6. Collin Veijer (NED) Husqvarna +0.495
11. Joel Esteban (ESP) CFMOTO +0.957
14. Jacob Roulstone (AUS) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +1.084
18. Vicente Perez (ESP) KTM +1.620
20. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN) Husqvarna 1:48.381 (Q1)
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