If there was any doubt, Jorge Martin sent a clear signal in Portugal that he's ready to challenge Francesco Bagnaia again for the world title. The Ducati Pramac rider dominated the race, while behind him, the final laps were filled with drama, including a collision between Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, leading to a crash that effectively took both out of contention, followed by a failure that cost Maverick Vinales a certain second place with Aprilia. A series of incidents that propelled the Spaniard to the top of the standings - he has 60 points, +23 over Bagnaia -, but also reignited Enea Bastianini's desire, who finished second on the track where he broke his shoulder last year, and gave Diego Acosta his first MotoGP podium with Ktm Gag Gas. The three were awarded by guest of honor José Mourinho, making his first appearance at a motorcycle GP, tasked with waving the checkered flag. Before the race, the coach visited the Ducati team and also met the Marquez brothers, but among selfies and autographs, he declared his intention to return to coaching soon. Martin hammered as only he knows from the first corner, overtaking Bastianini at the start and then preventing anyone from getting close enough to challenge his lead, especially Vinales, but also a convincing Bastianini.
«Today I had no problems with the bike and I knew what I could do - Martin commented afterwards -. I started fast, then managed the tires well, but Maverick and Enea were always close. So, I created a gap that was then enough for the win. It was a relief to win again after last year, because I know I can do it». Vinales pushed his Aprilia to keep up, but when the second place seemed assured, a gearbox failure ruined the day for the winner of yesterday's sprint, and the Veneto team was left with only Aleix Espargaro's eighth place. Mixed feelings at Ducati Lenovo, but Bastianini's strong performance wasn't enough to ease the disappointment over what happened to Bagnaia. After yesterday's fourth place, the Turin rider was seeking revenge, but it seems that Portimao was not in his favor and the two-time world champion soon found himself far from the leading trio. In the end, Acosta overtook him, snatching what seemed like the fourth place, then came Marc Marquez, determined to emulate the young compatriot. The former Honda rider attempted an overtaking maneuver in the corner, then widened his trajectory and the Italian slipped in for a counter-overtake and the two touched, ending up on the ground. No damage, but the race was over. Zero points for Pecco means a -23 in the standings - ahead of him are Brad Binder, today fourth, at -18 and Bastianini at -21 - and for Marquez a -33.
«Today I'm disappointed, I didn't expect zero points. I was optimistic for the race, I thought we were fine but then I realized I had no grip at the rear, I couldn't do what I wanted», Bagnaia said after being heard in race direction about the final incident. Marquez was also summoned for what was filed as a racing incident, with no penalties for the two riders. «I maybe had a bit more but we were fighting for fifth position and these things happen - Marquez commented -, we were unlucky. It's a shame for both of us not to have scored points».
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