Pecco Bagnaia makes a double move and takes control of MotoGP

The season MotoGP 2023 is already taking on a Ducati red hue. Francesco Bagnaia completed the Sprint/Main Race double while Johann Zarco gave us a thrilling end to the race to take 4th place with panache.

Barely time to regain his senses after the incredible Tissot Sprint race on Saturday when it was already time to get back in the saddle for the Sunday Warmup. fabio quartararo managed to get between the Marquez brothers, Alex's Ducati having set the best time while Marc's Honda was positioned third. 

42 starts during the year and as many risks of collisions at each corner © MotoGP

Unfortunately, Enea Bastianini logically had to withdraw from the main race which saw only 20 motorcycles take the start, Pol Espargaro, still recovering in Faro hospital after his terrible fall on Friday. It is still too early, after only one Sprint round contested, to draw conclusions, but Fabio Quartararo has already alerted public opinion on Saturday evening about the dangerousness of the format. This reduced grid unfortunately proved him right. Joan Mir found responsible for the contact with the French yesterday had also received a Long Lap

Marc Marquez started from pole position for the second time this weekend, benefiting from his exceptional pole position taken on Saturday morning. On the grid Fabio Quartararo displayed reasonable optimism before the 25 laps of this main race: “We're going to try to get off to a good start, that's where we struggled yesterday. I feel confident, we are going to have a great race. »

Miguel Oliveira made the best start to complete the first lap in the lead in front of his crowd, but from the third lap Marquez completely missed his braking to hit the unfortunate Portuguese who, stunned, remained on the ground for a long time. Fabio Quartararo meanwhile navigated the soft underbelly of the peloton after another failed start. Maybe a launch control problem like yesterday.

Marquez strike on Oliveira © MotoGP

Bagnaia took the lead of the race and pushed hard to gain a little lead, taking the official Aprilia of Maverick Viñales in his wheel. Halfway through the race, the reigning champion accelerated to overtake his opponent and go it alone in the lead.

The race came alive at the start of the last 6 laps and Fabio Quartararo passed Luca Marini to gain 9th place and joined Johann Zarco in the group fighting for 4th place. In the meantime, Jorge Martin and Luca Marini had made mistakes. Unchained, Zarco passed Aleix Espargaro, Jack Miller, Brad Binder and Alex Marquez in quick succession in the last two laps to take a fantastic 4th place!

Francesco Bagnaia: “It was so long! It feels weird after the Sprint (laughs). The bike works well, I have enormous confidence in it. We had a bad start to the season last year, now it's quite the opposite. It's good to already be at the top of the championship. Mentally I'm more tired than after a single race Grand Prix. We’ll have to get used to it.”

Maverick Vinales: “I feel good, we did a good job. I tried to pass Bagnaia by delaying all my braking but I really couldn't do more. We fight up front, that was the goal. »

Marco Bezzechi: “I'm very happy because yesterday I made a mistake and today I was able to thank the team who did a fantastic job. I want to keep my feet on the ground and continue to grow. On the way to Argentina! »

Fabio Quartararo: “Really a complicated weekend. We are fast, but still too far. We need to review the way we use this motorcycle. Plus my teammate isn't there to do the job. There are 40 races left with the Sprints so you have to stay calm and not think about anything other than the next race. »

See you next weekend in Argentina at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit for the second stage of the 2023 MotoGP Championship.

2023 Portuguese Grand Prix standings

2023 MotoGP World Championship standings