BIRTHDAY BOY ALEX MARQUEZ QUALIFIES AS TOP HONDA AT PORTIMAO

Álex Márquez will start the Portugal Grand Prix from 7^th position after a superb display on Saturday saw him qualify as the leading Honda bike. The LCR Honda CASTROL rider celebrated his 26^th birthday in style by winning Q1 and looks in good shape to challenge in Sunday’s race after demonstrating impressive pace at the Portuguese venue.

Saturday’s free practice sessions again took place in wet conditions with the Spaniard ending 11^th in FP3 to sit 15^th in the combined times, before taking 14^th in FP4 after opting to head out late on. But he built momentum throughout a competitive Q1, timing his charge perfectly on a drying track to win the session by nearly a second. He was then in contention for pole in Q2 as he led with four minutes remaining, before losing places in the closing stages.