Moto3 Portugal Qualifying: Joel Kelso takes pole position after a nail-biting finish, Maximo Quiles crashes!

Moto3 qualifying has just finished in Portugal! On the hills of Portimao, it's crucial to get a good start to launch quickly and move forward. It was difficult to name a favorite for this session, although Maximo Quiles (KTM CFMoto Aspar Team) and Angel Piqueras (KTM MT Helmets MSi) were the ones to beat in the absence of José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). This Grand Prix has been quite unpredictable so far: Dennis Foggia (KTM CFMoto Aspar Team) topped the first session out of nowhere, while David Almansa (Honda Leopard Racing) was fastest in practice. Then, this morning, during a FP2 session held on wet ground, Angel Piqueras was significantly faster than his competitors.

Did you miss this session? Come relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a table that summarizes the known facts:

 

Moto3™ Portimao, Portugal	2024	2025
FP1	Canceled	1'47.422 Dennis Foggia
Practice	1'47.202 David Alonso	1'47.056 David Almansa
FP2	1'47.175 Joel Kelso	1'59.106 Angel Piqueras
Q1	1'47.979 Ryusei Yamanaka	1'47.679 Joel Esteban
Q2	1'46.379 José Antonio Rueda	1'46.764 Joel Kelso
Course	Holgado, Rueda, Ortola (See here)
All time lap record	1'46.379 José Antonio Rueda 2024

 

The sun is back for Q1. For once, there aren't really any clear favorites in this first session. Logically, we can mention... Guido Pini (KTM Liqui Moly Intact GP) as a contender, or even, Matthew Bertelli (KTM Levelup MTA), who recently returned from a long injury.

 

 

The young Marco Morelli (Honda GRYD Mlav Racing) is the first to set a significant time in this session. But this is only the beginning. Finally, after 15 minutes of battling to find the best time, the replacement for Jacob Roulstone Joel Esteban (Red Bull KTM Tech3) concludes the session in first place. Marco Morelli is second, a respectable second place, ahead of Stefano Nepa (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica) and Guido Pini, the last qualifier for Q2. A calm session, without any hitches.

 

 

Result of Q1 Moto3 at the 2025 Portuguese Grand Prix:

 

 

Now for the serious stuff. And it starts off with a bang, right away: Joel Kelso (KTM Levelup MTA), very fast so far, goes straight to the front, without waiting any longer. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Garlic) is second after the first round of time trials. But Maximo QuilesThe unstoppable one is doing even better: as a reminder, he is still in second place in the overall standings, and remains a constant threat to victory!

 

 

Everything will come down to the last lap, and everyone's lights are flashing red on the final loop! Who will be in pole position? Joel Kelso, at the end of the suspense, while Maximo Quiles It crashed in the final moments! Scott Ogden (KTM CIP Green Powerr) is second, ahead Piqueras, Quiles, and PiniWhat an end to the session, everything was so unpredictable!

 

 

Moto3 qualifying results for the 2025 Portuguese Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: MotoGP