An incredible performance from Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) saw him set the fastest-ever lap around the Portimao Circuit with a 1:46.971, as he heads into Q2 on top ahead of Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports).
As the sun gleamed on the Portimao circuit for the first session of Saturday's action, the Moto3™ riders headed out on track for Practice 3 and their final chance to bag a Q2 spot ahead of the Grande Prémio TISSOT de Portugal.
The perfect slipstream for @IvanOrtola48! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) March 25, 2023
The time eventually pops up and he does indeed take over at the top! ????#PortugueseGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/m331gxzea4
It wasn't until 10 minutes into the session that we saw improved lap times come from the Moto3™ riders, and it wasn't until the closing stages of the session that the timing screens began to light up with red sectors across the board. It was an outstanding performance from the top 3, with the Rookie Rueda shining ahead of his first GP as a full-time Grand Prix rider.
Most of the big-hitters made bagged themselves Q2 spots for qualifying, leaving the likes of Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP), Tastuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing), Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse), and Scott Ogden (VisonTrack Racing Team) to battle it out in Q1 for a chance of Q2 promotion.
Qualifying for Moto3™ will commence at 12:50 local time (GMT) so make sure not to miss any of the action on motogp.com!
Top 10:
1. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) – 1:46.971
2. Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.099
3. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports). + 0.101
4. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) + 0.165
5. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.198
6. Kaito Toba (SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 0.245
7. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarana Intact GP) + 0.273
8. Jaume Masia (Angeluss MTA Team) + 0.282
9. Ryusei Yamanaka (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.367
10. David Alonso (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.408