Espargaro leads in FP2, but Marquez remains fastest in Portugal

It was a tricky day to say the least for the drivers MotoGP this Friday during the Portuguese GP on the Portimão circuit. The rain was indeed invited among the protagonists and somewhat upset the hierarchy. 

In the aggregate of the two free practice sessions, Marc Marquez nevertheless retained the advantage ahead of Pol Espargaro, who was among the only three drivers to have improved in FP2. 

Joan Mir remained in third position ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Johann Zarco, both of whom made mistakes today, and Miguel Oliveira. 

The latest in a long list of riders to be caught out today! 👀@JohannZarco1 slips off through Turn 2 💥#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/wfaFpiLxSv

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022

First Aprilia representative, Maverick Viñales placed seventh ahead of Jorge Martin, who had fallen heavily here last year. Francesco Bagnaia, who was also trapped, was ninth while his teammate Jack Miller completed the provisional list of Q2 residents. 

Absolutely no saving that! ️@PeccoBagnaia loses the front into Turn 3! ️#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/FuyY6zfEpb

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022

Ranked 17th on Friday morning, Fabia Quarterly had to concede two positions in the afternoon. In the process, he also lost the status of best Yamaha rider, overtaken by Andrea Dovizioso, 14th, and Franco Mobidelli, 18th. 

The Frenchman, however, was ahead of Alex Rins who could not do better than 21st of the day, more than 3.3s behind Marquez's benchmark. 

Ranking (FP1-2)