The Moto3 World Championship practice sessions for the Portuguese Grand Prix concluded with Joel Kelso topping the timesheets. The BOE Motorsports rider set the fastest time in the second session, held this morning at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
Ivan Ortolá (MT Helmets-MSi/KTM) led after the initial flying laps, but was soon overtaken by David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar). The Colombian, in turn, was overtaken by José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) before Kelso took the lead.
The Australian then improved his time, but was later passed by his teammate David Muñoz. About five minutes later, Alonso reclaimed the top spot and held it for roughly 12 minutes until Rueda improved.
In the final moments, Kelso set the benchmark at 1m47.175s. Rueda improved but fell short, settling for second, 0.147s behind his rival. Alonso finished third, 0.311s adrift, followed by Adrián Fernández (Leopard Racing/Honda) 0.508s behind. Riccardo Rossi (CIP Green Power/KTM) completed the top five in the session.
In the combined standings of the two timed sessions, Kelso emerged as the fastest, edging out Alonso by 27 thousandths of a second. The Colombian’s best time was set yesterday. Rueda, Fernández, and Rossi follow on the combined leaderboard, with Stefano Nepa (Levelup MTA/KTM) securing the final spot for direct qualification to the second qualifying. He edged out Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse/Honda) by just seven thousandths of a second.
P2 timesheets:
Combined standings P1 + P2: