MotoGP | Portuguese GP Race: Martin dominates, Bagnaia and Marquez fall, Bastianini and Acosta on the podium

MotoGP Portuguese GP Race – Jorge Martin won the Portuguese Grand Prix, the second round of the 2024 MotoGP held on the Portimao circuit.

The Spanish Pramac Racing rider immediately took command of the race and never relinquished it until the checkered flag, after repelling long-distance attacks from Sprint Race winner Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) and pole-man Enea Bastianini ( Ducati). For Martin, this is the sixth victory in a "long" MotoGP race, sixteenth in his career.

On the podium after a thrilling finale were Enea Bastianini and an extraordinary Pedro Acosta, category rookie, who rode a thrilling race with the KTM of Team GASGAS Tech3 with overtaking without awe on Brad Binder, Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia.

With three laps to go the first twist, Marc Marquez attacks Pecco Bagnaia, the fight is for fifth position, the #1 doesn't fit and responds, the two touch and end up on the ground. It appears to be a racing accident, which will however be under investigation.

Subsequently the last twist, at the exit of the last corner at the beginning of the last lap Vinales, until then splendid second, has a problem with the gearbox of his Aprilia and subsequently falls at the first corner.

Fourth at the finish line is therefore Brad Binder who on the KTM preceded team-mate Jack Miller and Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati VR46 Racing Team). Fabio Quartararo collects heavy points, seventh with Yamaha and ahead of the Aprilias of Aleix Espargarò and Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse). Tenth at the finish line was Fabio di Giannantonio (Ducati VR46 Racing Team).

Also scoring points were Augusto Fernandez (KTM Team GASGAS Tech3), Joan Mir (best Honda rider, ed.), Alex Rins (Yamaha), Takaaki Nakagami (Honda LCR) and Johann Zarco (Honda LCR).

Once back on the bike, Marc Marquez finished 16th, ahead of Luca Marini (Honda HRC) and Franco Morbidelli (Ducati Pramac, who fell at the start of the race and then got back on the bike). Alex Marquez (Ducati Gresini) and Raul Fernandez (Aprilia Trackhouse) also crashed without consequence.

In the Championship Martin leads with 60 points, 18 more than Brad Binder, 21 more than Enea Bastianini and 23 more than Pecco Bagnaia.