MotoGP: Francesco Bagnaia triumphs at Portuguese GP to back up sprint race win, Marc Marquez crashes out
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ByEurosport
Updated 26/03/2023 at 14:17 GMT
Marc Marquez may have been on pole for the Portuguese Grand Prix, but it was Ducati Lenovo's Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia who clinched victory on Sunday afternoon with another hugely impressive performance. Bagnaia, who is the reigning world champion, followed up his sprint race victory with another win at Portimao as he crossed the line ahead of Maverick Vinales.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) celebrates after the MotoGP Of Portugal at Autodromo do Algarve on March 25, 2023 in Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal.
Image credit: Getty Images
Francesco Bagnaia sealed another comprehensive victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday to follow up his sprint race glory in style.
The current world champion, of Ducati Lenovo, won the season-opening sprint race in Portimao on Saturday afternoon, and he has now doubled up after another stunning triumph.
Pole had been claimed by Marc Marquez, but Bagnaia only needed a lap to get his nose in front, and then disaster struck for Miguel Oliveira, who had moved up from the green flag.
Marquez attempted to challenge on the inside of his Portuguese rival but clipped Oliveira and the pair of them were sent into the gravel with no hope of rejoining the action.
Bagnaia, who impersonated Cristiano Ronaldo with his celebration at the race's conclusion, always looked to have the edge after he assumed control of the race.
The 26-year-old from Turin held his composure superbly to close out the win ahead of Maverick Vinales, who finished second, and Marco Bezzecchi, who had to settle for third.
Bagnaia has now scored a maximum 37 points to go clear of the championship standings after the first race.
Rider of the day - Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo)
Last season’s champion looks on course to be this season’s winner, too. He had little to do but that is the problem for the chasing pack. In the sprint he battled when he had to, and on Sunday he was so clean in the straights and the corners that nobody could get near him.
Where the race was won and lost
1/25 OLIVEIRA LEADS - Plenty of contact and Oliveira goes ahead of Marquez. Bagnaia into first.
2/25 BAGNAIA INTO SECOND - And now into the lead at turn 13. He has a chance to ride into clear air.
4/25 MARQUEZ, OLIVEIRA OUT - Oliveira goes inside at turn three and is caught by Marquez, sending them both out for now.
6/25 A SECOND GAP - Bagnaia and VInales are almost a second clear of Bezzecchi in third.
13/25 BAGNAIA ALMOST A SECOND CLEAR - He's starting to move clear now and is on for a double here.
17/25 BATTLE FOR THIRD - Bezzecchi keeps hold of the final podium place, with Alex Marquez usurping Miller for fourth.
25/25 BAGNAIA WINS THE PORTUGAL GP - Vinales comes in second and Bezzecchi is in third. Johann Zarco has done brilliantly to steal fourth at the death.
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