A day to forget for Marc Marquez

Marc Marquez went through all the emotions this weekend at Portimāo, ruining all the benefit of an incredible performance on Saturday with a mistake in the main race with very serious consequences. The Spaniard was the big man of the day on Saturday with a dazzling pole position and a third place in the Sprint race, acquired by force of hand against visibly faster drivers and machines.

This Sunday, the No. 93 driver started again from pole position but lost two places before even entering the first corner. The Honda rider also almost fell twice, including once after slight contact with Jorge Martín (Ducati Prima Pramac). We felt Marquez in perpetual struggle with his mount since the start of the weekend, but until then his mastery on the handlebars had allowed him to work miracles. Not this time because the worst was unfortunately yet to come... On the third lap, Márquez masterfully missed braking in turn 3 and hit Martin again before violently colliding with the local hero, Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia RNF).

Marquez strike on Oliveira © MotoGP

After receiving reassuring news from Oliveira who had been on the ground for a long time, Marquez returned to the paddock to immediately apologize to the RNF stand. Limping and limited in his movements, the Honda driver subsequently went to the circuit's medical center. An initial diagnosis reported a possible fracture of the first metacarpal of the right hand. 

As if that were not enough, the eight-time World Champion learned in the evening that he was receiving a double Long Lap for this maneuver deemed irresponsible. This penalty, which Marquez immediately accepted, will be served during the Argentine Grand Prix next weekend at Termas de Río Hondo.

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