MotoGP

Gresini rider Alex Marquez kicked off his Ducati debut fastest of all in the opening practice session for the 2023 MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix. Lewis Duncan.

[PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-motogp-riders-are-preparing-for-the-physical-stress-of-sprint-races/10409563/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-motogps-underachiever-is-working-to-reverse-this-in-2023/10412982/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/is-motogps-comeback-king-ready-to-reclaim-his-throne/10413608/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-one-motogp-team-went-from-title-challengers-to-losing-it-all-in-four-years/10416469/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-the-motogp-paddock-has-offered-refuge-to-suzukis-former-team/10419545/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-other-suzuki-signing-that-could-transform-hondas-motogp-form/10424581/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10440747/) [Aleix Espargaro](https://www.autosport.com/driver/aleix-espargaro/829595/) was 11th on his factory Aprilia as he eases back into riding following surgery on a fibrosis issue in his right arm after testing, with Miller shadowing him in 12th. [Jack Miller](https://www.autosport.com/driver/jack-miller/841464/) found himself topping the pile on his KTM with a 1m46.129s a few moments later, but the order would shuffle around as the grip improved. [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447342/) [Alex Rins](https://www.autosport.com/driver/alex-rins/841460/) was 13th as he gears up for his Honda debut with LCR, with [Franco Morbidelli](https://www.autosport.com/driver/franco-morbidelli/841445/) 14th on the second Yamaha after a crash in the damp conditions early in FP1. [MGP MotoGPPortugal GP ](/motogp/news/motogp-riders-critical-of-portugal-track-safety-after-espargaro-incident/10448103/)

After five years as a Ducati rider, Miller joins the factory KTM squad for 2023. But the transition was a difficult one of the winter, as the RC16 lagged ...

[PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10441078/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447508/) “Like I said. “We’ve been working extremely hard, and when I say ‘we’ I mean mainly the engineers. “To be honest, I’m as surprised as you guys, especially on the time,” Miller said on Friday. After five years as a Ducati rider, Miller joins the factory KTM squad for 2023.

Friday Practice results from the Portuguese MotoGP at Portimao, round 1 of 21 in the 2023 world championship.

11/13 11 7/16 7 SPA Red Bull KTM's Brad Binder is still sore from his big testing accident here two weeks ago. Aprilia's Maverick Vinales and Francesco Bagnaia completed the top three. It is unclear if Espargaro was also hit by his machine.

The Aussie came from nowhere to leap to the top of the timesheets and oust Maverick Viñales for Day 1 honours.

The 8-time World Champion will be joined by his teammate Joan Mir (Repsol Honda) in Q1. Make sure not to miss any of the action from the Grande Prémio TISSOT de Portugal on motogp.com! Miller and Viñales flew into the 1:37 club to put themselves ahead of Bagnaia in 1st and 2nd respectively. After a long wait, MotoGP™ was back in action for the Grande Prémio TISSOT de Portugal, and it was Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) that topped Day 1 of 2023. With the pace set, the rest of the grid chased down the Spaniard's lap time. Both riders were up and ok, and back on track for the rest of the session.

MotoGP begins its 2023 season in Portimao this weekend. This page will be updated with MotoGP Portugal results across the weekend.

Only Joan Mir, on the Repsol Honda, interrupted the Ducati supremacy as he finished FP1 in second place. [MotoGP](/news/racing/motogp) was conditioned by weather. CryptoData RNF Racing Aprilia Honda RC213V Repsol Honda Team Aprilia RS-GP Aprilia Racing Ducati GP23 Ducati Lenovo Team KTM RC16 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MotoGP Team

While awaiting the results of hospital scans, Dr Angel Charte of the MotoGP medical team has given the following update on the condition of Pol.

And I think the air fence there is either small or not there at all." We will have time to blame somebody and put a fence but right now I am worried." "But it’s difficult because you arrive with the MotoGP and we brake [over the crest] so all the bike unloads and it’s easy to lose the rear. Let’s hope for the best for him and that he can recover well." "He has suffered severe spinal trauma and a contusion to his lungs which we will have to monitor closely. He can move his feet, legs, and arms perfectly well, so there is no reason to fear any permanent spinal injury."

Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder has faith in his machinery to weather the storm in his 2023 quest for his first MotoGP world title.

Points will be on offer for the first nine riders to cross the finish line, with the winner bagging a dozen points and the ninth placed rider one point. There will still be two free practice sessions on a Friday ahead of every race, with the third free practice on Saturday mornings reduced from 45 to 30 minutes. Unlike Formula 1, in which only a handful of events on the annual calendar include sprint races, every one of He won a race in each of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but failed to record any other podium finishes. The Ducatis showed ominous pre-season form and it’s not surprising that reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia has been instilled as the odds-on favourite to secure his second MotoGP crown in 2023. But in the Adrenaline Game the competitor’s machinery plays as big a role as anything else towards success.

GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider Pol Espargaro crashed during MotoGP Free Practice Two Friday at Algarve International Circuit, causing the session to be ...

Second Update: According to Dorna, Pol Espargaro has been diagnosed with a pulmonary contusion (a.k.a. The Spaniard then slid into the gravel trap with his racebike sliding immediately behind him. And then the replay was stopped before the final part of the incident was seen.

Jack Miller, as seen during pre-season testing in Portugal. Photo by Rob Gray/Polarity Photo, courtesy KTM Factory Racing. Jack Miller set a new All Time ...

Alex Marquez, Ducati, 1:38.385 Enea Bastianini, Ducati, 1:38.256 Marco Bezzecchi, Ducati, 1:38.158 Johann Zarco, Ducati, 1:38.112 Jorge Martin, Ducati, 1:37.991 Luca Martini, Ducati, 1:37.899

Jack Miller is Australia's only representative in MotoGP for 2023 — and he will suit up in new team colours as he looks to add to his four Grand Prix wins.

It represents your identity as World Champion. "Number 1 represents who you are. He did win the Moto3 race at the circuit in 2014 on his way to second place overall in the championship that season, pipped to the title in the final race of the season by Álex Márquez. I've always loved it," Bagnaia told MotoGP.com. This is a change from the norm, and is in direct response to a fan survey on how to improve race weekends. "It's been a long time since we last saw the number 1 in MotoGP. He will, in fact, be the first rider in more than a decade — since Stoner in 2011 — to use the number 1. He will have a new teammate this year, Enea Bastianini, who is definitely not afraid to use his elbows to muscle in on a minuscule gap at high pace — and has been told that he is free to ride for the championship against his teammate. As a result of winning the World Championship, Bagnaia will swap his personalised number 63 with the World Championship winner's number 1. Gardner — the son of former world champion Wayne Gardner — finished 23rd in the championship last year, with a best race finish of 11th in Catalunya. That has been reflected in pre-season testing, with Miller struggling to make an impression on the timing boards, finishing almost a second down around the same circuit that the season will start on this weekend at the last test a fortnight ago. The move is a gamble for Miller, who is moving from the strongest bike on the grid to a KTM team that acknowledges it has lots of work to do to be competitive.

He headed new factory Honda signing Joan Mir and the VR46 Ducati of Luca Marini, while reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia was a steady ninth on his ...

[PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/is-motogps-comeback-king-ready-to-reclaim-his-throne/10414157/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-one-motogp-team-went-from-title-challengers-to-losing-it-all-in-four-years/10416592/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-the-motogp-paddock-has-offered-refuge-to-suzukis-former-team/10420793/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-other-suzuki-signing-that-could-transform-hondas-motogp-form/10424851/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10441078/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447508/)

Pol Espargaro suffered a big crash in Friday's Practice 2 of the Grande Prémio TISSOT de Portugal, with the session red-flagged and the Spaniard taken to ...

"He has suffered severe spinal trauma and a contusion to his lungs which we will have to monitor closely. He can move his feet, legs, and arms perfectly well, so there is no reason to fear any permanent spinal injury." To determine the extent, he will need to be evaluated via further examination at Faro hospital, specifically his spine," Dr.

His KTM-backed GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 team said Espargaro was conscious but had suffered back and chest trauma and been transferred to hospital in Faro for ...

March 24 (Reuters) - Spanish MotoGP rider Pol Espargaro was taken to hospital on Friday after a big crash in practice for the season-opening race in Portugal. His KTM-backed GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 team said Espargaro was conscious but had suffered back and chest trauma and been transferred to hospital in Faro for further examination. Pol Espargaro taken to hospital after big crash in Portugal

Jack Miller says he is “as surprised as you” at his lap record 1m37.709s from FP2 for the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix that saw him top Friday's running for KTM ...

[PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-motogp-riders-are-preparing-for-the-physical-stress-of-sprint-races/10409563/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447342/) I wasn’t expecting a 1m37.7s today. “Like I said. I’ve done fuck all in Australia for the last four months. After five years as a Ducati rider, Miller joins the factory KTM squad for 2023.

MotoGP: "Compared to the bike tested in Valencia, it's been an incredible journey so far. I feel good on the bike, it gives me a lot of confidence and it's ...

“Already with the new engine we made a big step, and then with the new chassis, and also with the change in philosophy in terms of electronics and stuff. I was certainly able to provide important information, then I get on very well with the guys in the garage. I was amazed by what I did today, also by the fact that I used the soft tyre well as I sometimes didn't do with the Ducati. With the new chassis, we made a big step and then also with the change in philosophy in terms of electronics and so on, we've made a massive step. Maybe in my comments I say some bullshit, I complain a lot, but they try to do everything and up to now it's been an amazing journey so far from the bike I rode in Valencia to what we've got now, and I feel like hopefully we can keep this going. “I had a couple of moments today, the bike really gives you an amazing feeling and I’m able to save these crashes.

The Spaniard was flung from his Tech3-run, GASGAS-branded KTM in the closing stages of Friday's FP2 session as he headed through the Turn 10 right-hander at ...

[PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/is-motogps-comeback-king-ready-to-reclaim-his-throne/10413608/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-one-motogp-team-went-from-title-challengers-to-losing-it-all-in-four-years/10416469/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-the-motogp-paddock-has-offered-refuge-to-suzukis-former-team/10419545/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10440747/) “This, I can’t answer to you. The question is how long [will he be out?].

A crash for Pol Espargaro in Portuguese GP P2 not only brought out red flags, but also highlighted deeper issues with the Portimao track and with MotoGP.

It is also a consequence of a red flag early in Practice 2 for a power cut which severed the TV images in Race Control, meaning Race Direction had no view of the track, and had no choice but to red flag the session. He hit the barrier at turn 10, because the run-off area there is quite small and the gravel is still quite hard; the stones still quite large. Because it was a bad crash, but [...] when Pol arrived on the gravel, he started to accelerate.” By the time Oliveira and Espargaro were heading out for their time attack runs at the end of the P2 session (no longer “FP2” for reasons), the time of day had surpassed 16:00. It is not certain why Espargaro crashed, because his necessary transfer to the hospital very much de-necessitated him talking to the media at the end of the day. [Race](/news/racing) track safety is curious in that maximising it requires the precise prediction of where people will crash.

MotoGP's doctor Angel Charte says Pol Espargaro is “neurologically fine” after being airlifted to hospital following a violent crash in FP2 for the Portuguese ...

[PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447342/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/why-a-difficult-2021-hasnt-broken-one-honda-motogp-aces-resolve/7338541/) “Cervically, he is perfectly fine.

Tech3 GASGAS MotoGP rider Pol Espargaro has been ruled out of the rest of the Portuguese Grand Prix weekend following his horror crash in FP2 on Friday. Lewis ...

[PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-the-motogp-paddock-has-offered-refuge-to-suzukis-former-team/10420793/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-other-suzuki-signing-that-could-transform-hondas-motogp-form/10424851/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10441078/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447508/) “This, I can’t answer to you. The question is how long [will he be out?].

Honda MotoGP rider Marc Marquez took a shock pole position in the opening qualifying session of the 2023 season at Portimao.

Ducati Ducati Lenovo Team LCR Honda IDEMITSU LCR Honda CASTROL Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Aprilia Aprilia Racing Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Honda Repsol Honda Team Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro completed the Q2 order, potentially knocked off his stride by an early crash in Q2. Bagnaia jumped ahead him soon after, and the title favourite looked absolutely nailed on for pole position until Marquez’s last-gasp stunner.

The 2023 MotoGP season begins this weekend in Portimao with the Portuguese Grand Prix, as Francesco Bagnaia begins his world title defence. This page will be ...

Only Joan Mir, on the Repsol Honda, interrupted the Ducati supremacy as he finished FP1 in second place. [MotoGP](/news/racing/motogp) was conditioned by weather. LCR Honda Castrol Aprilia Racing Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Aprilia RS-GP CryptoData RNF Racing Aprilia Ducati GP23 Ducati Lenovo Team Honda RC213V Repsol Honda Team MotoGP Team

MotoGP™ is back with a bang as the first qualifying session of the 2023 season sees an incredible performance from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), ...

Make sure not to miss any of the action from the Tissot Sprint at 15:00 local time (GMT). In the closing stages of the session, it was eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez who silenced the paddock with an incredible unexpected lap time, snatching pole from Bagnaia by 0.064s, and sending a message to the paddock that he means business. With the grid decided for the Tissot Sprint and Sunday's race, everything is in place for exciting battles all the way through the field. Shortly after there was an early mistake from Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) who went down at Turn 13, quickly remounting and getting his RS-GP back to the Aprilia garage. The bar was set high early on as Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) went top with a scintillating 1:37.675, setting the benchmark with a new all-time lap record, and taking his Honda to the absolute limit. Despite a strong final attempt from Alex Marquez, he caught Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) in the wrong place at the wrong time, and will start his first weekend as a Ducati rider from the 13th spot on the grid for the first-ever Tissot Sprint as well as Sunday's race. Red sectors came flooding in once again and it was a disaster for the current pole-sitter as he crashed out at Turn 3. Miguel Oliveira made a late charge as well but it wasn't enough and he finished the session in P4. The tensions were high as the riders returned to the circuit knowing they'd need an incredible lap to topple the Aussie. Tensions were high as riders such as Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team), Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), Alex Rins (LCR Honda CASTROL), and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) chased down the eight-time World Champion. MotoGP™ is back with a bang as the first qualifying session of the 2023 season sees an incredible performance from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), who will start from pole position for both the Tissot Sprint and Sunday's race at the Grande Prémio TISSOT de Portugal. (@MotoGP)

He heads reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia and his Pramac Ducati counterpart Jorge Martin, while Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo's weekend has been thrown ...

[PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/is-motogps-comeback-king-ready-to-reclaim-his-throne/10413608/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-one-motogp-team-went-from-title-challengers-to-losing-it-all-in-four-years/10416469/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-the-motogp-paddock-has-offered-refuge-to-suzukis-former-team/10419545/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-other-suzuki-signing-that-could-transform-hondas-motogp-form/10424581/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10440747/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447342/)

MotoGP rider Pol Espargaro will miss the season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix this weekend after the Spaniard suffered jaw, back and lung injuries in a ...

I love you infinitely," Espargaro's brother Aleix, who rides for the Aprilia Racing team, said on Instagram. He hopes to be on the way home early next week." Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

As part of MotoGP's radical format shake-up for 2023, qualifying now takes place on Saturday morning and sets the grid for both the main grand prix on ...

[PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/is-motogps-comeback-king-ready-to-reclaim-his-throne/10414157/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-one-motogp-team-went-from-title-challengers-to-losing-it-all-in-four-years/10416592/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-the-motogp-paddock-has-offered-refuge-to-suzukis-former-team/10420793/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-other-suzuki-signing-that-could-transform-hondas-motogp-form/10424851/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10441078/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447508/)

Honda's Marc Marquez sped to a surprise pole position for the season-opening Grand Prix of Portugal ahead of world champion Francesco Bagnaia, ...

In the first session we had the possibility to do a lot. But in the second one there were four riders in it. [WATCH: ‘I want to be a world champion like him’ - Aspiring SA rider Oratilwe Phiri meets hero Brad Binder](/sport/watch-i-want-to-be-a-world-champion-like-him-aspiring-sa-rider-oratilwe-phiri-meets-hero-brad-binder-bca2cecd-3bc4-4d36-b8fc-997a32b8c451) [Brad Binder feels Red Bull KTM are closer to where they need to be ahead of new MotoGP season](/sport/brad-binder-feels-red-bull-ktm-are-closer-to-where-they-need-to-be-ahead-of-new-motogp-season-5309d45e-1acd-4a9b-9173-bdbef4b6b916) [Binder hoping it’s fourth time lucky in new MotoGP season](/sport/binder-hoping-its-fourth-time-lucky-in-new-motogp-season-10519e47-39d3-4544-99ce-7d3f40f01d7c) [Despite some serious highs, it was MotoGP season of missed opportunities for Brad Binder](/sport/despite-some-serious-highs-it-was-motogp-season-of-missed-opportunities-for-brad-binder-0bcb8dc5-ba27-48cb-a1b2-98ffdf100289) [Brad Binder finishes second as Francesco Bagnaia claims MotoGP world title](/sport/brad-binder-finishes-second-as-francesco-bagnaia-claims-motogp-world-title-fa9e70b8-e147-4c88-8ec8-d01119b54133) [Martin on pole for Valencia MotoGP title-decider, Bagnaia on third row](/sport/jorge-martin-on-pole-for-valencia-motogp-title-decider-francesco-bagnaia-on-third-row-a5df4283-2aea-4a52-a66d-7805d6e4938f)

The eight-time world champion endured a tough winter testing phase with the 2023 Honda, and felt coming into this weekend's first round of the 2023 season ...

I feel strong, let’s pick a good tyre for the race and let’s try to be in the front.” But even I could manage to make a really good lap. But starting on the first row is a big advantage.” “I would like to push in front and have the lap alone. “So, if the strong point is there, I need to take profit of that. “Today in FP3 I already felt good and smooth to ride.

Pecco Bagnaia out-duelled fellow Ducati rider Jorge Martin to win MotoGP's first sprint race at the 2023 season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix.

Ducati LCR Honda IDEMITSU Ducati Lenovo Team LCR Honda CASTROL Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Aprilia Aprilia Racing Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Honda Repsol Honda Team The recovering Quartararo came close to salvaging a point but was ultimately two tenths off in 10th – with only the top nine scoring. That tussling created a seven-bike lead group, with the leading trio trailed by Oliveira, Marquez and the suddenly caught-up works Aprilias.

Sprint race results from the Portuguese MotoGP at Portimao, round 1 of 21 in the 2023 world championship.

1 for 9th). SPA While Martin began to pull clear, Bagnaia re-passed Miller, who now had Oliveira and Marquez to face.

As part of a major shake-up to the MotoGP format for 2023, half-distance sprint races take place on the Saturday of every grand prix weekend.

[PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-other-suzuki-signing-that-could-transform-hondas-motogp-form/10424851/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10441078/) [PrimePrimeMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447508/) 1 The Mir/Quartararo clash is currently under review. Behind, Quartararo lost ground from 11th on the grid and was 15th coming through Turn 1.

World champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati won Saturday's Portugal MotoGP sprint ahead of Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez.

Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 1, 10. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 4, 7. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 7, 4. Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 5.711, 10. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 2.106, 7. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1.517, 4.

Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) made headlines with an epic last-lap triumph, whilst Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) showed he means ...

He will be aiming to take a Grand Prix win for the first time since Germany last year. He finished P3 last year in Portugal for his fourth MotoGP™ podium at that time. The last time was in Malaysia last year, but he finished third on his most recent podium. He fought for the podium in the Sprint before a last lap mistake. He will be aiming for a second home GP win (along with the 2020 Portuguese GP). This is the second time he has qualified on pole after passing through Q1, along with Thailand in 2018.

The first ever MotoGP sprint race wasn't much different from expectations: a rather intense affair with close pack racing, lots of crashes, and both Jorge ...

I suspect some of the enjoyment comes from this being the first appearance of the sprint. Having four brands in the top five at the finish was an auspicious sign too for anyone – this writer included – wary of Ducati domination. It’s hard to deny it was hugely entertaining, but that was probably expected. The sprint was great at face value. Even the best MotoGP race tends to have a mid-distance lull as everyone gets poised for the final lap battles. Can I guarantee I’ll be able to do that for the Saturday of every race weekend this season? As a fan I made the effort this time to watch the first one live. So it seems unlikely that the same grid will produce the same running order in the first part of the grand prix on Sunday. If you’re used to Formula 1 (or endurance racing!) then a standard MotoGP grand prix already probably feels pretty short. But the fact riders were trading places so much, seemingly more than in your usual grand prix, is a worry. I suspect the sprint race being a standalone that has no impact on Sunday’s event helps in that regard. That was good fun to watch.

“So, we will see. Of course, today I was a bit calm. Jorge Martin, ...

[PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10440747/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447342/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/is-motogps-comeback-king-ready-to-reclaim-his-throne/10413608/) “So, I think you can manage to just be constant and try to be in the front. “It’s like this and you have to be prepared. “But especially in this circuit, we need to wait more for the other circuits.

The reigning champion took first honours of 2023 in an epic last lap battle with Martin and Marquez taking an important top 3.

Oliveira shot his Aprilia up the inside of Jack Miller, snatching 3rd away from the Aussie for a brief second but pushing them both wide and opening the door for Marc Marquez to take two in one, putting himself in 3rd. After sitting pretty in 3rd spot for a few laps and watching the action unfold, Bagnaia decided it was crunch time with 3 laps to go. It wasn't long before Miller had a look at his former teammate Bagnaia, slotting up the inside at Turn 5, and putting his Red Bull KTM in 2nd place with seven laps of the Tissot Sprint to go. One lap later and Miller fancied his chances at victory, firing his KTM up the inside of Jorge Martin to take the lead. After an incredible opening to the MotoGP™ season, we have a chance to catch our breaths before it all starts again on Sunday. Whilst the battle raged on at the front, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had found himself stuck in battles he didn't want to be fighting. Meanwhile, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) were carving their way through the pack pushing Marquez back to P5. The jaw-dropping first race of 2023 had fans glued to their screens as an epic last-lap battle saw Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) go down in the history books as the first winner of a Tissot Sprint, after getting the better of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) in an epic last lap battle. It was a fantastic start from 'The Beast' Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), who flew from 6th on the grid into 2nd place as the grid barrelled into Turn 1. Bastianini went down after getting caught out the outside of Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) as he lost the front mid-corner. Despite running at a pace faster than the leaders, Quartararo couldn't manage any higher than 10th place. The riders and teams were about to venture into new territory with a whole host of questions yet to be answered.

Hear the reactions from the fans after the first Tissot Sprint in MotoGP™ History!

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FIM MotoGP World Championship Sprint race results and point standings from Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal.

“Pecco did an incredible race, and I am happy that he took this win in the first Sprint Race of the season. Starting with the sixth fastest time, Enea had managed to stay in the fight for the top positions after the start, but on the second lap, he was involved in Luca Marini’s (VR46 Racing Team) crash, suffering a fracture of his right shoulder blade. Jack started well from the second row and fought for the podium until the end of the race: It was a good start of the season and a very good Sprint. On Sunday, he will occupy the same grid position and have another chance to keep pushing and progressing, as the first race will take place at 14.00 CET. Defending well for the opening laps, the #93 was able to maintain his position in the leading group and waited as the riders ahead battled. On the other hand, in the race I leaned too hard in the corners and crashed. The first Saturday of the 2023 season was a hectic one with qualifying followed by the 12-lap Sprint in which the Australian led and finally finished 4th at the Grande Premio TISSOT de Portugal. I was really happy with the setup of the bike, so I was looking forward to the race. It was difficult with the wind because it was the first time we had the wind going in the opposite direction, compared to the test and yesterday. I went wide during the last lap as I was braking a bit too much in the wrong place, so I just went off track and couldn’t make the corner with the wind inside of the bike. Starting there, he managed to stay inside the top five for quite a while, and even went up to P4 on the fifth lap of the race. I made a mistake on the last lap and Pecco overtook me but he was super fast in the last two laps.

Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo says he doesn't like the MotoGP sprint race format as it is “a jungle”, and warns “there will be a big accident soon”.

[PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-motogps-underachiever-is-working-to-reverse-this-in-2023/10412982/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/is-motogps-comeback-king-ready-to-reclaim-his-throne/10413608/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-one-motogp-team-went-from-title-challengers-to-losing-it-all-in-four-years/10416469/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/how-the-motogp-paddock-has-offered-refuge-to-suzukis-former-team/10419545/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-other-suzuki-signing-that-could-transform-hondas-motogp-form/10424581/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/the-signs-that-motogps-japanese-powerhouses-are-changing-for-the-better/10440747/) [PlusPlusMotoGP ](/motogp/news/can-anyone-stop-changed-bagnaia-as-ducati-tightens-its-grip-on-motogp/10447342/) The pace was not too bad, but I think we understood a few things during this race. “It’s not a problem to touch on the last laps. Only Marini and Bastianini [and Mir] crashed, but for sure in the future there will be much more crashes.” “You can be aggressive. “There will be a big accident soon.

Ducati MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini will skip multiple races after a crash in the 2023 season-opening MotoGP sprint race at Portimao.

“So I’m sorry for this, but sincerely, it’s difficult to say it’s a big fault for me. It’s a pity also for him. He subsequently headed to hospital for what MotoGP described as “pain in the right scapular area” and a fracture was then officially confirmed.