Eric Granado will begin the opening round of the 2024 MotoE World Championship from pole position in each of Saturday's two scheduled races as LCR E-Team secured a double front row at Portimao.

A first visit to the Portuguese circuit for the all-electric series, this weekend marks the first of eight double-header rounds that will comprise the second MotoE season to utilise the latest generation Ducati V21L sportsbike.

For Granado, pole position on the LCR machine represents a stark reversal of fortunes from 2023 when he was forced to skip the first races due to injury.

One of only four riders to have started every season of MotoE since its inauguration in 2019, Granado's quest for an elusive title begins with Nicholas Spinelli and Mattia Casadei joining him on the front row.

With Spinelli representing Tech3 E-Racing following his move over the winter, his former Pons Racing team-mate - and defending champion - Casadei partners Granado at LCR for 2024.

On row two, Hector Garzo on the IntactGP machine heads up Alessandro Zaccone on the second of the Tech3 entries, while Oscar Gutierrez puts the new Axxis-MSI entry into the sixth place slot.

However, it was a tough first qualifying session for two of the pre-season title favourites with Jordi Torres and Matteo Ferrari left with work to do from seventh and 11th on the grid respectively.

🇵🇹 ⏱️ 2024 Portugal MotoE, Portimao | Qualifying Results

Friday | Conditions - Overcast, Dry