Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira secured pole position at the Portuguese Moto2 Grand Prix on Saturday, putting him in a commanding position to claim the championship title during Sunday’s race.
Moreira currently holds a nine-point advantage over Spanish rival Manu González, his closest competitor in the title race.
González qualified a distant eighth, significantly behind Moreira, creating a scenario where Moreira could clinch the championship if race positions hold.
Moreira’s pole-winning lap time of 1 minute, 41.168 seconds established a new category record at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
This new benchmark surpassed the previous record of 1 minute, 41.514 seconds, which was held by González.
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Britain’s Jake Dixon finished qualifying just 0.017 seconds behind Moreira, securing second place, with the Netherlands’ Collin Veijer taking third.
The Portuguese Grand Prix marks the 21st and penultimate round of the Moto2 season.
In the Moto3 category, Australian rider Joel Kelso claimed pole position for his race.
Spanish rider José Antonio Rueda has already secured the Moto3 championship title this season.
Rueda is not competing in the Portuguese event due to an injury.