Suzuki Europe MX2's Simone Zecchina continued his learning curve in the FIM Motocross World Championship by pushing towards some rapid lap-times on the RM-Z250 at a slippery and bumpy Agueda circuit for the Grand Prix of Portugal.

Only a small slip on the third lap of the MX2 Qualification Heat under the Portuguese sunshine prevented the Italian teenager from being able to rise higher than 26th and earn the same gate pick for Sunday.

Agueda presented some difficult challenges. Normally a meeting that sees some rainfall, the skies remained clear and the soft dry terrain churned into hard ripples. Zecchina set times reasonably close to the top 20 and is optimistic of some more Grand Prix points in his second appearance of a planned three for the team.

Simone Zecchina:

"I'm finding it difficult here. My start wasn't good in the heat race and I had a small crash on the third lap. The set-up of the bike is fine and the suspension is ready but it was the rider who was not good. I think it is possible to make some points tomorrow if I can get out of the start. The motos felt very long for me last week but now I am confident I can be stronger for a longer period in the race."

MX2 Qualification Heat result:

1. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 25:36.182; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:22.829; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:26.637; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:27.606; 5. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, KTM), +0:33.255; 6. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:46.585; 7. Zachary Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +0:50.746; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:51.649; 9. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:57.547; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +0:58.750; 26. Simone Zecchina (ITA, Suzuki), -1 lap(s);