MotoGP riders had a date this weekend with the first round of the 2023 MotoGP season at the Portimao circuit in Portugal.
It was also an opportunity to discover the new weekend formula with the introduction of Saturday afternoon sprints. And if the goal is to spice up the days leading up to the Grand Prix, then at this point it’s a real success!
Sprint race
NEW WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS The first sprint race in history caught all eyes on Saturday. 50% of the race time for the pocket up to 12 points. This was the challenge of the day that allowed the first 9 drivers to finish half of the Classic Race points (12, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 point).
At the end of a very lively Moto3 race, World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati-Lenovo Team) won this first event. Pole Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), author of the excellent start, managed to grab third place behind the formidable Jorge Martin (Ducati Pramac). Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha), who found himself at the back of the field on the first lap due to his too aggressive contact with Joan Mir (Repsol Honda), left empty-handed despite a good comeback that put him 10th.
Johann Zarco (Ducati Pramac Racing) finished eighth
2023 Sprint/Portimao Classification:
1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
2. Jorge Martin (Ducati Pramac) – +0.307
3. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) – +1.517
4. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) – +1.603
5. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) – +1.854
6. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) – +2.106
7. Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia CryptoDATA RNF) – +2,940
8. Johann Zarco (Ducati Pramac) – +5.595
9. Alex Marquez (Ducati Gresini) – +5,711
10. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) – +5.924
Race :
The next day, the drivers had a date on Portuguese asphalt in the “real” race. And just like the previous day, defending champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) finished high with wins over Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Marco Bizicchi (Ducati Moni VR46).
From the first laps, local driver Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia CryptoDATA RNF) took the lead. Followed by Jorge Martin (Ducati Bramac) and Bagnaia. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) got off to a bad start and nearly went down twice. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) started 10th, also missed his takeoff and found himself 16th.
Bagnaia took the lead on the second lap when Marc Marquez made a mistake; Jorge Martin dabbed and crushed a Honda fork on Miguel Oliveira’s kidneys. The Portuguese driver collapsed into the gravel trap under the worried eyes of his supporters. Marc Marquez’s run ends here, too. Oliveira reassures the audience by somehow getting up before he is taken to the medical center.
Jorge Martin managed to stay on his wheels but found himself at the back of the pack. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) took advantage of the strike to move into second place and set off in pursuit of Pecco Bagnaia who would remain a strong leader until the checkered flag.
Marco Besicki managed to get rid of Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) before finding himself isolated for the rest of the race to clinch his second podium in the premier class.
Behind the French, ensuring parade. Starting with Johann Zarco (Ducati Pramac) who made a strong finish to the race and got fourth at the last corner. Fabio Quartararo got a disappointing 8th place but managed to show good pace in the final third of this Grand Prix.
Alex Marquez finished fifth, ahead of Brad Bender (Red Bull KTM) and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM). Alex Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) finished ninth behind Fabio Quartararo while Alex Raines (Honda LCR) completed the top ten.
On the accounting level, with these two victories (sprint + GP), Francesco Bagnaia leads the general classification by 12 points from Maverick Viñales.
A disturbing little note at the end of this first weekend that will only see 14 pilots cross the finish line: no less than 4 pilots who ended up in hospital and lost in the next Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend in Argentina: Miguel Oliveira (leg tendon) right), Enea Bastianini (right shoulder), Pol Espargaro (jaw and vertebrae fracture) and … . The punishment No. 93 thought to avoid followed his expulsion but which he would finally have to submit to once he got back on the track. A decision that was misunderstood by the Repsol team against which it appealed.
In light of the health report of that first big race, I’m not sure the FEI would understand such an appeal.
See you next weekend for the Argentine Grand Prix.
To follow up on the deputy…
Classification for the Portuguese Grand Prix / Portimao 2023:
Provisional General Motorcycle Classification 2023:
As of March 26, 2023
Image credits: motogp.com
