Winner of the Sprint in Portimão, Márquez had to "take risks"

Starting from fifth place on the grid, Álex Márquez (Gresini Ducati) still managed to win the Sprint of the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix.

Starting from the second row, it wasn't a given that Álex Márquez would be able to fight at the front in the short sprint of the Portuguese Grand Prix. MotoGP. Leaping like a jack-in-the-box when the lights went out, the Gresini rider immediately found himself in third position in the first corner, and knew that he could quickly join the fight between poleman Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) and Pedro Acosta's KTM.

« We had to take risks; I was starting fifth. I got a really good start, and when I found myself behind Acosta and Bezzecchi, I thought I might have a bit more than them! The bike was very good, especially the acceleration coming out of the last corner, so I was able to attack several times.

The battle between the three men, and particularly between Márquez and Acosta, was magnificent, with the two Spaniards taking turns overtaking each other. While number 73 admits that this whole period wasn't necessarily the kindest for his tires, he's delighted to have managed to execute his strategy, which was to attack relentlessly to lead the race as consistently as possible.

"I wore my tires out a bit too much to overtake, but that was the plan, which was perfect. We need to adjust a few small things for Sunday, but I'm delighted with Saturday."

Although the race will be twice as long this Sunday, there is no doubt that the younger of the Márquez brothers will be able to apply everything he learned this Saturday to try and win once again on the rollercoaster of Portimão…

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