MotoE: Granado Grabs First E-Pole of the Season in Jerez

Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) secured a start from pole position for the opening MotoE race of the season in Jerez.

The Brazilian set a lap time of 1:48.620 and beat Lukas Tulovic (Tech3 E-Racing) into second by 0.191. Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) finished third a further 0.065 back.

The E-Pole session took place under 35°C air and 55°C track temperature The tough conditions made it even more challenging for the riders to perform on just one flying lap.

E-Pole as it Happened

Starting in reverse order to the free practice rankings, Jakub Kornfeil (WithU Motorsport) headed out on track first and set a 1:51.012. Faster times were pouring in and Alejandro Medina (Openbank Aspar Team) was first to dip into the 1:48s.

Soon after, Tulovic went top of the standings with a 1:48.811. The German seemed on course for a top result when more experienced riders, including reigning world champion Matteo Ferrari, fell short off the rookie’s time.

Niccolo Canepa (LCR E-Team) looked sharp out on track and set absolute bests throughout the first sectors. However, the Italian lost the front going into Turn 11 and destroyed his Energica Ego Corsa which brought out the red flag.

The interruption came at the expense of Aegerter who was over a tenth up when Canepa crashed. Yet the Swiss rider swiftly continued where he left off following the restart and was again on a potential pole lap but eventually lost out to Tulovic by 0.065.

Tulovic looked set to cause a major surprise at his MotoE debut when Granado, the final rider on track, was two tenths off going through the second sector. Granado though pulled off an outstanding third sector and brought his advantage over the line to secure the E-Pole.

The Full Grid

Eric Granado will start the race on pole from Lukas Tulovic and Dominique Aegerter. The second row will be headed by 2019 MotoE champion Matteo Ferrari ahead of Alejandro Medina and Xavier Simeon.

Behind them Alex de Angelis will line up next to Jordi Torres and Niki Tuuli. Forming the fourth row, Mattia Casadei heads Mike di Meglio and Xavi Cardelus.

At the back of the grid, Josh Hook, Maria Herrera and Tommaso Marcon will start just ahead of Jakub Kornfeil and Niccolo Canepa who did not set a time in the E-Pole session due to his crash.