David Alonso returns to Portimao, where he completed two days of testing in February, and heads to a Grand Prix for the first time from the lead 

The Moto3 World Championship faces its second round of the season this weekend, the Portuguese Grand Prix, at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider David Alonso heads into this round as the leader of the small class after a spectacular victory in Qatar, a win he took after overtaking five riders on the last lap. Now, Alonso arrives in Portugal with a lot of confidence and high expectations, as it is a track where he was the fastest in pre-season testing. But the young Colombian rider is aware that his rivals will not make it easy for him. Daniel Holgado, who led a large part of the race in Losail and is second in the World Championship, or riders like José Antonio Rueda, Collin Veijer or Iván Ortolá, who could not complete the race in Qatar with the expected result, will be some names to consider.

Rookie Joel Esteban will be looking to continue his progress and adaptation to the World Championship. The young CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar rider finished his first race in Moto3 with good sensations and now travels to a circuit where he achieved his first victory in JuniorGP last year. Esteban has made two visits to the podium at Portimao in the last two seasons and, although this year this goal is not yet as within his reach as in previous seasons, he will fight until the end to finish as close to the front as possible. 

David Alonso: "In Portugal we had two days of testing in February which went very well. It is one of my favourite circuits. We are the leaders, but the way we work during the Grand Prix will remain the same. We have to start a new weekend from scratch, get a good base and enjoy it. I will try to be as prepared as possible to have a good race."

Joel Esteban: "I am really looking forward to the race in Portimao. It's a circuit that I really like, it has a lot of ups and downs and I always enjoy it there. The first tests there went well and I had a good feeling, even though we couldn't do a lot of laps because the weather wasn't favourable. I think in Portugal, and after a first race in which I learned a lot, we will make another step forward. The objective is to get to Q2 and make a good start to try to fight with the front group."