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).

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-->Jake Dixon, ELF Marc VDS Racing Team, Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal