Italian Enea Bastianini (Ducati) took pole position for the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix, second round (of 21) of the season, Saturday on the Portimao circuit (south).
The 26-year-old driver, already the fastest in qualifying practice on Friday afternoon, did it again on Saturday morning and beat the Spaniards Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) and Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) respectively by 82 and 106 thousandths.
On the hilly Algarve circuit, “La Bestia” (The Beast, his nickname) stole the show from his teammate and compatriot Francesco Bagnaia, leader of the world championship after his victory in the inaugural GP in Qatar.
The reigning double world champion will start on the second row after setting the fourth time, ahead of Australian Jack Miller (KTM) and Italian Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati-VR46).
The impressive Spanish rookie Pedro Acosta (Gasgas-Tech3) took seventh place after having to go through Q1. He beat six-time Spanish world champion Marc Marquez (Ducati-Gresini) and Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha).