Jorge Martin and Tetsuta Nagashima will start from the second and fourth rows of the grid, respectively, at the final race of the 2020 season.

The last day of qualifying in the 2020 season took place today at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, with the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team enjoying positive results. Jorge Martin qualified on the second row of the grid, in sixth place, just 2 tenths behind the pacesetter. The Spaniard made up for the time lost on Friday to continue his adaptation to the track. Teammate Tetsuta Nagashima was 10th, going straight into Q2 and earning a spot on Row 4.

In FP3, Nagashima used his 17 laps to fix aspects of his bike that had been lacking on the opening day. The efforts by the Japanese and his crew paid off and he took a big step forward, finishing 12th in FP3 with a 1:43.395 – 2 tenths faster than his top time from Friday. Martin had to work hard after a mechanical issue sidelined him yesterday afternoon, but he would find a strong setup at what is a new circuit for him. Finally, the Spaniard was 19th and clocked a 1:43.758 from 17 laps.

In the afternoon, Martin set the third fastest time in Q1: 1:43.336. This took him into Q2, where the Spaniard was one of the quickest riders and he set a 1:42.798 – just 2 tenths off pole -, earning him a spot on the second row, sixth. Nagashima went straight into Q2, then qualified in 10th position thanks to a 1:42.993, placing him on Row 4 for the last race of the season.

The 23-lap Moto2 Portuguese Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 12:20 pm local time.

Results – QP
1. Remy Gardner (Kalex) 1:42.592
2. Luca Marini (Kalex) 1:42.710 +0.118
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Speed Up) 1:42.721 +0.129
4. Enea Bastianini (Kalex) 1:42.722 +0.130
5. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:42.759 +0.167
6. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.798 +0.206
10. Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.993 +0.401

88 JORGE MARTIN

“I’m happy with how Saturday went, in what was my last qualifying in Moto2. We managed to salvage the day, since I did not feel very comfortable in the morning. The team did a fantastic job getting the bike ready. We still have some aspects that we need to improve, but we are satisfied with our performance, since sixth – just 2 tenths off pole – is something positive heading into tomorrow’s race.”

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“Qualifying was not at all bad. We eventually took 10th on the grid for tomorrow’s race, which is positive for me. However, I’m not completely happy with the result, as I was riding very fast on the first sectors but, at the end, I encountered some traffic that prevented me from finishing the lap well. However, my feeling is good and I’m ready for tomorrow. I want to enjoy the last contest of the year.”