The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider is confident of his chances in the race

CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider David Alonso will start he Portuguese Grand Prix from the front row of the grid . The young Colombian rider has set the third fastest time in qualifying with a lap of 1:46.497, just one tenth of a second off the polesitter, José Antonio Rueda, who has broken the track record just at the end of the session, and 0.059 off second-placed Joel Kelso. Alonso has been fast on the time attack and has been in the top three in all the sessions held so far. The World Championship leader is satisfied with the work he has done and with having completed his qualifying lap on his own, with no slipstream or reference. Looking ahead to tomorrow's race, the CFMOTO Aspar Team rider is confident in his pace and hopes to break the group in order to reduce the number of contenders for the win. 

Joel Esteban has had in Portimao his best qualifying position with the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team. The Spanish, who has entered Q2 for the first time in his rookie season, has finished eleventh, nine tenths off Rueda's pole time. Despite not being able to improve his time in the final flying lap, Esteban is the fastest rookie on the grid and is confident that he has the pace to fight in the front group tomorrow. 

3rd David Alonso 1:46.497 (+0.118): “Starting from the front row is very good because it’s not usual for us. Besides, I have done it on my own, without slipstream. We have a good pace and I'm happy with the bike. I have been able to do a lot of quality laps working on my pace and I feel well prepared for the race. I think that tomorrow the group can break up and if I push hard from the start, it can be a small group."  

11th Joel Esteban 1:47.336 (+0.957): "I'm very happy with how today went. We went straight into Q2, which was one of our goals for the weekend, and we had a good lap time. In qualifying we had a good strategy, and I have just missed on a more competitive last lap. Tomorrow I think I have the pace to get into the leading group."