Granado puts on a sideways showcase to claim E-Pole

One Energy Racing's Eric Granado put together a stunning show of speed and sideways smoke to clinch the opening FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup E-Pole of 2021. The Brazilian will line-up on the front row of the grid alongside Tech3 E-Racing's Lukas Tulovic and 16-year-old rookie Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) for Sunday's electric class season-opener.

Earlier in the session, we saw costly mistakes from the previous World Cup winners Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) and Matteo Ferrari (Indonesian E-Racing Gresini MotoE). Torres will start his defence of the 2020 title from sixth on the grid after suffering a monster slide as he applied the power out of Turn 6. But there was an even bigger mistake from the inaugural World Cup winner, Ferrari. The Italian was the only rider on the MotoE™ grid to clip the green on his flying lap, meaning his lap was cancelled and he'll start Sunday's race from last on the grid.

Remarkable rookie Aldeguer was sitting pretty at the top of the timesheets as we got down to the business end of E-Pole with the fastest three men from Free Practice lined up and ready to go. First, it was the turn of the German Tulovic. The sophomore set an impressive benchmark, going two tenths quicker than the teenager to take over at the top. Next up, Dynavolt Intact GP's Dominique Aegerter. The Swiss rider looked to be on course for provisional pole at the halfway stage of the lap but proceeded to lose a chunk of time through the third sector. A further loss in the final sector meant the former Moto2™ frontrunner could only manage third.

A grandstand finish awaited as Eric Granado rolled out of pitlane. Could the outright lap record holder deny Aldeguer a dream debut E-Pole? He started the flying lap with real intent, powering the Energica Ego Corsa's rear wheel at some angle through the fast Turns 3 and 4. A quarter of a second was his advantage at the halfway point, which then quickly became four tenths at the third sector. But he backed it into the final corner and ran wide, missing the apex and possibly pole position too. Did he have enough advantage in his back pocket? Yes, he most certainly did. E-Pole went the way of the Brazilian by two tenths.

Tulovic and Aldeguer will try to halt him from taking back-to-back Jerez victories from the front row, whilst Aegerter will have to do from a row further back. Octo Pramac MotoE's Alessandro Zaccone ended up fifth, ahead of likeable Spaniard Torres. Row three of the grid will be occupied by Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse), Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team).

Top ten:
1. Eric Granado (One Energy Racing) - 1:47.778
2. Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) + 0.234
3. Fermin Aldeguer (Openbank Aspar Team) + 0.515
4. Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) + 0.595
5. Alessandro Zaccone (Octo Pramac MotoE) + 0.600
6. Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) + 0.729
7. Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 0.836
8. Xavi Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) + 1.028
9. Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) + 1.031
10. Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) + 1.070

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS!