Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia was forced to start from 11th on Sunday’s Portimao MotoGP grid after his pole position lap and new circuit record were cancelled due to yellow flags.

A positive Saturday started with perfect conditions and a strong performance from the factory effort’s new recruit as Bagnaia sailed directly into Q2 thanks to setting the third fastest time of the morning’s free practice.

The confident showing continued with consistent mid to low 1’40 pace during the midday FP4 session, with the 24-year-old completing the half hour in the top-five.

The qualifying timesheets failed to fully depict the efforts put in during Saturday’s final 15-minutes of action at the Algarve with Bagnaia closing proceedings a disappointing 11th. The Italian had produced a stunning lap in the closing minutes, initially registering a new lap time record with his 1’38.49 lap to take the pole position. The time, however, was cancelled as the chequered flag was raised, due to the yellow flags deployed after Oliveira’s crash, with Bagnaia ultimately forced to start from the fourth row of the grid.

“I’m obviously disappointed that I missed out on pole position” the Italian admitted on Saturday afternoon. “I had managed to set an incredible time, but two of my laps were cancelled in the space of a few minutes.

“Unfortunately, the flag was displayed in a place where I couldn’t see it - you are coming from a downhill there. The yellow flag was on the right side and I was already leaning for the corner, and preparing the corner, left side, so it was impossible to see. Marini, was behind me, and has said to me, the same - he also didn’t see the yellow flag, so was impossible, but in any case this is a rule and we have to follow it.

“I’ve had two laps in my two attempts cancelled in the 15-minutes, so was better to remain in the box today, and watch to the others today!

“The good thing is that I took the pole position today with an incredible lap, and my pace was really strong, in FP4 I was with used tyres and I was very close to Quartararo who had new tyres so my pace is good and I will try my all to recover all this position tomorrow. Will be difficult but I will try.

“I hope to see a group in front, because it will be easier to recover but I think that three or four riders are stronger than the others. So, for me, we will see a group in front, and I will try to stay with them, will be very difficult, maybe quite impossible but I will try everything to stay with them.”