Moto3 Portugal Qualifying: José Antonio Rueda takes pole in an unbreathable session! What show !

Moto3 qualifying was nothing short of exciting in Portugal. The competitors in the smallest categories engaged in a relentless battle, and finally, at the end of the suspense, José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took pole position. The free practice sessions promised a sensational contest, and it was. The first of these, Friday morning, was canceled due to track conditions. But the second allowed David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team) to clearly stand out from the rest of the peloton… except for Joel Kelso (KTM Boé Motorsports). The latter was the only one able to contain the brilliant Colombian, and moreover, it was he who finished at the top of P2.

So, even if you already know the result of this session which will determine the rest of the meeting, come and relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a summary table:

 

Moto3™ Portimao	2023	2024
FP	1'48.006 Diogo Moreira	canceled
P1	1'47.320 Daniel Holgado	1'47.202 David Alonso
P2	1'46.971 Iván Ortolá	1'47.175 Joel Kelso
Q1	1'47.694 Xavier Artigas	1'47.979 Ryusei Yamanaka
Q2	1'46.798 Ayumu Sasaki	1'46.379 José Antonio Rueda
Course	Holgado, Munoz, Moreira (See here)
All time lap record	1'46.798 Ayumu Sasaki (2023)	1'46.379 José Antonio Rueda

 

Let's go for these two crucial sessions. Who will emerge victorious from this confrontation? Difficult to predict. First, here is Q1, with few big names, it must be said. We count Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who – almost – always gets by at this stage, Filippo Fairoli (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica), Ryusei Yamanaka (KTM MT Helmets Msi) and Tatsuki suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP).

 

 

The session has just started, and already, a fall for the Italian Luca Lunetta (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corsica). Very big fall for the one who wears the number of Marco Simoncelli. Let's hope he recovers quickly.

 

 

Yamanaka is the first to record a significant time, and already the Japanese is very fast. Nicholas Carraro (KTM LEVELUP MTA) ranks second. Nonetheless, what a disaster for Tatsuki suzuki. For several years now, his career has been in great danger. Within a team ranked second last year with Ayumu Sasaki, he is not yet in the top four of this session. Remember that he won for the last time during the 3 Moto2023 Argentine Grand Prix, in the rain, for Honda Leopard Racing.

 

 

Obviously, as is the case almost every time, drivers expect to benefit from a good wheel. Aspiration is essential on this route. Ultimately, this all leads to a big rout. The competitors did not want to take the lead, and as a result, none could benefit from a last lap except for Vincent Perez (Red Bull KTM Garlic). And the latter ranks fourth!

The qualified are therefore Ryusei Yamanaka, Nicholas Carraro, Philip Farioli et Vincent Perez.

 

 

Result of Q1 Moto3 at the 2024 Portuguese Grand Prix:

 

 

Now it’s time to race for pole. The first salvo is for David Alonso, already extremely fast, in just 1'47, not far from the best time of the weekend. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Garlic) and Joel Kelso (KTM Boé Motorsports) are close ; so the favorites are there. Wheel is the first to draw a 1'46, but is quickly joined by David Alonso. All that was missing was Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), but the latter ranks third. Nothing has been decided yet, everything has to be done. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), in great difficulty during P2, he seems to have regained his strength.

 

 

Joel Kelso takes a trip out of this world. And here he takes the best time, and with it, the track record! What a dazzling turn from the Australian, it's astonishing. He is half a second ahead of his closest pursuer as he crosses the line! Can anyone do better?

The two KTM Ajo riders almost collide, whileAdrian fernandez (Honda Leopard Racing) has just fallen. David Alonso, also in very good shape, got closer to second position but failed to take pole. Only one more turn, but no one seems to be able to pick up Kelso.

 

 

But if ! However, José Antonio Rueda wins on the line, at the last second! What a trick from Rueda, this prodigy!  This is his first career pole, and what a monstrous effort from the Spaniard. Joel Kelso is second, and David Alonso completes the front row. Daniel Holgado is fourth, which promises an unparalleled spectacle tomorrow from 12 p.m.!

 

 

Moto3 qualifying result at the 2024 Portuguese Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Ajo KTM