Moto3 Portugal Portimão P3: Iván Ortolá breaks the track record!

Yesterday, the Moto3 riders hit the Portimão track for the first two free sessions. Taking advantage of optimal conditions, two men stood out in the morning and then in the afternoon: Namely Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3). The latter, thanks to a time of 1'47.320, is already close to the track record held by Sergio García since 2021 (1'47.274).

This start to the weekend is also marked by the good form of David Muñoz (KTM Boé Motorsports) OfIvan Ortolá (KTM Angeluss MTA Team) and D'Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP Team), seen by many as one of the main favorites for the title. On the “surprise” side – even if his breakthrough would not be one given his talent – ​​watch the rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Garlic), winner of FIM JuniorGP World Championship and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup last year ; an unprecedented accomplishment.

This third session is decisive, because the 14 best drivers in the combined standings will go directly to the Q2. For the others, head there Q1 where four of them can be drafted to compete in the final qualifying session. Before starting, here is a table which summarizes the facts known so far Portimão :

 

Moto3™ Portimão	2022	2023
P1	2'02.658 Daniel Holgado	1'48.006 Diogo Moreira
P2	2'02.491 Mario Suryo Aji	1'47.320 Daniel Holgado
P3	2'03.866 Sergio Garcia	1'46.971 Iván Ortolá
Q1	2'07.198 Deniz Öncü
Q2	2'03.955 Deniz Öncü
warm up	1'50.089 Deniz Öncü
Course	Garcia, Masiá, Sasaki
All time lap record	1'46.971 Iván Ortolá (2022)

A bright sun awaits Roman Fenati (Honda Rivacold Snipers Team) who is the first to set off. These optimal conditions are conducive to improvement: more than ever, the record Sergio García is in danger.

Groups are already forming, but you have to be careful not to wait too long for a colleague's wheel. The race management will not hesitate to sanction as we have seen in the past. Diogo Moreira is the first driver to go below 1'48, but remains quite far from the reference established by Daniel Holgado. The Brazilian has been in the spotlight since yesterday, there is no doubt that he will be in the game until the end. Moreover, the majority of MotoGP riders interviewed imagine him to be the 2023 world champion.

The times are interesting, but it is the combined ranking that must be monitored with the greatest attention. Scott Ogden (Honda VisionTrack Racing Team), the British who are expected at the forefront, temporarily interferes in Q2. At the same time, David Munoz improves in 1'47.602 followed by Joel Kelso (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP). All the pilots are in limbo at the moment, the suspense remains unresolved. Note the discretion of Roman Fenati despite his 164 Grand Prix starts, currently 16th in the session.

The first run ends after about fifteen minutes, fortunately without a hitch. Daniel Holgado is still (comfortably) leader of the combined ranking.

Tatsuki suzuki et Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing) are (finally) entering the top 14. This season is crucial for each of them.

 

 

Unbelievable ! Ivan Ortolá takes the track record in 1'46.971 and thus goes first in the scratch. He is closely followed by Diogo Moreira et Ayumu Sasaki. Jose Antonio Rueda is also in the mix (P2), as his pedigree suggests. We also note two falls for Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Lorenzo Fellon (KTM CIP Green Power). This serves Tatsuki suzuki, which thus leaves zone Q2. Many are ahead before the last sector, but Ivan Ortolá was monstrous over the last meters.

Tatsuki suzuki and Xavi Artigas (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP) are the first injured and will have to go through the Q1. Note the beautiful rise of Kaito Toba (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica), sixth man below the previous record.

Results of P3 of the Moto3 Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Autodrome in Portimão:

Classification credit: motogp.com

Cover photo: Ivan Ortola