Diogo Moreira was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portugal. The Brazilian topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Italtrans Racing Team Kalex, Moreira navigated the 2.85-mile (4.59 km) course in 1:41.168, breaking Aron Canet’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record of 1:41.210 he set yesterday afternoon during the practice session.
Jake Dixon was second-best with a 1:41.185 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Boscoscuro.
Collin Veijer claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:41.317 on his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex.
Row-two qualifiers included Fantic Racing’s Barry Baltus (1:41.337) and Aron Canet (1:41.355) and CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team’s Daniel Holgado (1:41.404).
QualifyingResults moto2
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
Moreira takes prime pole position for Moto2™ title showdown. The Brazilian heads Dixon and Veijer, with Gonzalez set to start eighth in Portugal.
The Moto2™ title is on the line this weekend and Championship leader Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) is in prime position for that first match point. He takes pole in Portugal ahead of Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who also technically remains in contention for the crown at a deficit of 41 points from the top, with rookie Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the front row.
Dixon suffered a crash in the session but no harm done barring losing the chance to hit back against Moreira. The Brazilian took to the top late on by just 0.017, laying down the gauntlet ahead of Sunday.
Moreira’s closest rival for the Championship, nine points back, is Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). He is down in P8, with other contenders also just ahead of him: Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing), 35 points off the top in fourth overall, is fourth on the grid – with teammate and fifth in the Championship, Aron Canet, alongside him. That second row is completed by rookie Daniel Holgado (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team), who has chance to wrap up Rookie of the Year this weekend if he’s 26 points or more clear.
Daniel Muñoz (Red Bull KTM Ajo) slots into P7 ahead of Gonzalez, with Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) in ninth completing Row 3. David Alonso (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team) locks out the top ten.
Only Moreira, as the points leader, could take the crown tomorrow – with a nine-point advantage only bolstered by pole position. But five riders remain in contention before the end of the Grand Prix race on Sunday – so tune in for a stunning Moto2™ showdown at 11:15 (UTC).