Öncü times it to perfection to complete Q1 to P1 masterplan

Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü sprinkled some Turkish delight across the Tissot Grand Prix of Portugal by timing his final flying lap perfectly to snatch a second career pole position. Having come through a wet Q1 earlier, the Turk made the most of improving track conditions to take top spot as the chequered flag came out and, in doing so, denied both Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia) and Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) debut poles.

Öncü, Aji and Fellon took turns at leading Q2 throughout the course of the damp 15-minute session, swapping and changing lap after lap. But it was VisionTrack Racing’s Scott Ogden who sat at the top of the timesheets as the clock ticked to zero. However, in double heartbreak, the Brit’s lap was cancelled for yellow flags and Öncü then went fastest with a 2:03.955.

Indonesia’s Aji looked to threaten Öncü for pole moments later, but he fell short by just 0.017 seconds and was forced to settle for a second front row start of his rookie season. The pair will be joined there by Frenchman Lorenzo Fellon, who clinched a debut front row start just two weeks on from his first World Championship points.

Fronting the second row of the grid will CFMoto PruestelGP’s Carlos Tatay, followed by Leopard Racing’s Tatsuki Suzuki and Valresa GasGas Aspar’s Sergio Garcia. The man sat second in the Championship salvaged a second row start despite crashing an incredible three times during Q2.

SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Riccardo Rossi ended up seventh on the grid, over a second adrift of Öncü. The Italian will line-up one place ahead of Ogden, who, despite claiming a career-best result, will no doubt be frustrated after showcasing pace good enough for the front row. Joining the pair on row three will be Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team’s Izan Guevara.

Row four of the grid will see three big-hitters in the form of Sterilgarda Max Racing Team’s Ayumu Sasaki, Qatar Grand Prix winner Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and the World Championship leader Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), after he battled his way out Q1.

With the rain set to finally stay clear of the Algarve International Circuit on race day, it will be a total lottery once the lights go out for Round 5 of the Moto3™ World Championship at 11:20 local time (GMT+1). Just how we like it.

Moto3™ Q2 Top 10:
1. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) – 2:03.955
2. Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia) + 0.017
3. Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 0.475
4. Carlos Tatay (CFMoto PruestelGP) + 0.546
5. Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) + 0.608
6. Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) + 1.050
7. Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 1.182
8. Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) + 1.247
9. Izan Guevara (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) + 1.356
10. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 1.440