Bagnaia credits 'great front end feeling' for fantastic fifth consecutive pole

Francesco Bagnaia has taken a fifth consecutive MotoGP pole after setting a new lap record at Portimao. 

For the fourth time in five races Bagnaia will line-up just ahead of team-mate Jack Miller who managed to pip Joan Mir to second. 

But for Bagnaia, it was another stunning performance on a weekend where he’s finished every session first or second. 

Qualifying was expected to be a battle between Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo, and while Frenchman could well come through to challenge Bagnaia, the Ducati rider certainly has the upper-hand heading into tomorrow’s penultimate race of 2021. 

As is often the case in modern MotoGP races, tyre choice will be vital, something Bagnaia is hoping to get right, unlike Misano. 

The Ducati rider chose the hard front tyre in that Grand Prix, a tyre he will ‘for sure not use’ on the front tomorrow: "For sure I will not use the hard front. This is true. From the rear it’s different because you have to do something different to win the race. 

"With the hard you need more time to warm up the tyre but then you can push more. 

"The Medium maybe you have to manage a bit more, but last time here it was more hot and the medium was doing a good job."

Bagnaia’s stunning pole lap was not only a new lap record around Portimao, but also a Ducati record after becoming the first to achieve five on the bounce. 

Asked what’s been the biggest difference and how he’s able to get so much from the bike over one lap, Bagnaia added: "It’s from the Assen that I’m in the front now and in the last few races I’m always on pole. 

"I think it’s just the feeling that I have with my bike. In qualifying you have to do a crazy lap and you have to feel very good with everything. 

"I have a really great feeling with the front of my bike and this gave me a lot of confidence with braking and the entry. Apart from this I don’t know what really changes."