Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) found exactly what he needed in FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship qualifying in Barcelona, taking pole for the penultimate round and turning the tables on closest challenger Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) after the Italian topped practice. Andrea Mantovani (RNF MotoE™ Team) completes the front row, with Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) – currently one point behind Casadei – set to start sixth.
🔝 @jorditorres81 grabs a crucial pole on home turf!
— MotoE™ (@MotoEofficial) September 1, 2023
That's his 3rd one of the season 👏#CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/0axsl4TeUm
Yellow Flags out following a crash for Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) played a key role in Q2. The Brazilian found himself in Q1 after a crash in practice but comfortably topped the session to move through into the fight for pole. As he headed out of pitlane at the start of Q2 though, he suffered a strange crash at low speed that still flipped him over the highside. Rider a little winded but ok, but out of that fight for pole – and the Yellow Flags meant no one else could improve for some time either.
A massive T1 highside for @ericgranado 😱
— MotoE™ (@MotoEofficial) September 1, 2023
The Brazilian is now up and walking away! 👍#CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/9t95O0y1x2
Torres, who had hit early to take to the top, remained unchallenged even after the track was clear, with no one able to make any big improvements in the final couple of minutes. Still, Casadei is within a tenth, making it the top two in the standings ready to start top two on the grid. Mantovani alongside them will be looking to get in their way.
Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) came through Q1 just behind Granado and heads Row 2, ahead of previous MotoE™ Barcelona winner Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team). Ferrari completes that second row, looking to move forward once the lights go out.
The same is true of Granado as the Brazilian was left a frustrating P10 on the grid due to that early incident, despite his Q1 lap being two thousandths off front-row speed.
So that’s the grid(s)! On a super Saturday for MotoE™, Torres could clinch the crown. But with 15 points in hand, it’s a long shot, and Casadei is perfectly positioned to try and cut that gap. Can he – and Ferrari – keep gaining ground? Find out in Race 1 at 12:15 (GMT +2) before Race 2 at 16:10!
Top 10
| 1 | Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) | 1:48.731 |
| 2 | Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) | + 0.093 |
| 3 | Andrea Mantovani (RNF MotoE Team) | + 0.195 |
| 4 | Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse) | + 0.240 |
| 5 | Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) | + 0.273 |
| 6 | Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) | + 0.373 |
| 7 | Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE) | + 0.505 |
| 8 | Nicholas Spinelli (Pons Racing 40) | + 0.553 |
| 9 | Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) | + 0.739 |
| 10 | Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) |
FULL RESULTS
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