MotoGP Viñales victorious as Marc Marquez puts a last lap lunge on Martin

The number 12 secures his first Tissot Sprint victory, MM93 and Bagnaia engage in fierce competition, with Bagnaia lamenting a crucial error on an electrifying Saturday.

Maverick Viñales of Aprilia Racing secures his first-ever Tissot Sprint victory in a thrilling showdown at the Algarve circuit. The Aprilia rider displayed remarkable defensive skills to fend off challenges from Marc Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP™ and Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing, both engaged in their own fierce battle until the final lap. Marquez executed a classic yet clean maneuver to slice into second position, relegating Martin to third.

The championship standings tightened further, with Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo Team leading for a significant portion of the Sprint before an error at Turn 1 relegated him to fourth place.

Jack Miller of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing made an impressive start to the race, seizing the holeshot and building a substantial lead on the opening lap. However, polesitter Enea Bastianini of Ducati Lenovo Team faced challenges after encountering issues with his ride height device, slipping to fifth place.

Bagnaia surged to the front early in the race, attempting to create a comfortable gap. However, Marquez managed to pass Viñales and briefly held third position before running wide at Turn 5.

As Viñales led the Sprint, Martin and Marquez closed in. With Martin making a mistake, Viñales gained some breathing space, only to be pursued by Marquez in the final laps.

On the last lap, Viñales appeared to have control of the race, while Marquez battled Martin for second and third positions. Marquez executed a daring maneuver at Turn 5, making a spectacular move to secure second place.

Behind them, Bagnaia defended against Miller, while Bastianini closely trailed. Pedro Acosta of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 secured seventh place, marking his best Sprint result yet.

Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing recovered positions after a challenging qualifying session, while Fabio Quartararo of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ secured the final point in the Sprint.

Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing suffered an early crash but escaped unharmed.

With Viñales heading into Sunday’s race from the front row, anticipation builds for another thrilling contest. The Portuguese GP promises excitement, especially with the title race narrowed to just two points. Don’t miss the action, with lights out at 14:00 (UTC)!

Moto 2 Gonzalez pips Aldeguer and Canet for first Grand Prix pole

Manuel Gonzalez of QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ stole his first-ever pole position in dramatic fashion during the final 20 seconds of qualifying at the Grande Premio Tissot de Portugal, narrowly edging out Fermin Aldeguer of Beta Tools SpeedUp for the top spot. Aron Canet of Fantic Racing secured the outside position on the front row.

Following a challenging practice session where setting a fast lap proved elusive, 13 riders battled it out in Q1, with Somkiat Chantra of IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia, Ai Ogura of MT Helmets – MSI, Diogo Moreira of Italtrans Racing Team, and Senna Agius of Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP advancing to Q2. As Q2 commenced, the pace intensified, with Aldeguer breaking into the 1:41 bracket as the track temperature soared to 36°C.

In the closing moments of the session, Aldeguer seemed poised to claim pole until Canet and Gonzalez surged ahead in the final minute, relegating the Spaniard to second place. Despite a valiant last-ditch effort, Aldeguer had to settle for second, granting Gonzalez a memorable maiden pole position and setting an all-time lap record, much to the delight of the Gresini squad.

Joining the front row trio will be Alonso Lopez of Beta Tools Speed Up, the winner of the Qatar GP, who pushed to the limit at the final corner. Joe Roberts of OnlyFans American Racing Team catapulted from 11th to fifth in the last five minutes, rounding off an excellent Saturday for the QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™ team with Albert Arenas lining up in sixth for the Portuguese GP. The third row will feature both MT Helmets – MSI riders Ogura and teammate Sergio Garcia, with Chantra completing the top nine in ninth position. Stay tuned for more action on Sunday as the Moto2™ field takes to the track at 12:15!

Rueda heads Kelso and Alonso in close Moto3™ front row

Jose Antonio Rueda of Red Bull KTM Ajo delivered a stellar performance to claim pole position after a near-flawless lap in the closing stages of qualifying. Joel Kelso of BOE Motorsports impressed with a brave effort, finishing just 0.059 seconds behind Rueda, capping off an excellent Saturday for the Australian. David Alonso of CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team completes the front row, narrowly missing out on his maiden pole position. The second qualifying session of the season proved to be crucial as riders strategized to secure favorable grid positions after several competitors missed out in Q1.

Q1 witnessed intense competition, with Ryusei Yamanaka of MT Helmets – MSI posting an impressive lap to lead the session, alongside Nicola Carraro of LEVELUP – MTA, Filippo Farioli of SIC58 Squadra Corse, and Vicente Perez of Red Bull KTM Ajo, all aiming to advance to Q2. In Q2, riders wasted no time in setting fast laps, with Alonso, Rueda, and Daniel Holgado of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 vying for the top spot.

In the final moments of qualifying, both BOE Motorsports riders launched early runs, propelling Kelso to provisional pole and a new lap record. However, Perez snatched pole position on the final lap, securing his maiden pole. The front row is closely contested, with Holgado and Riccardo Rossi of CIP Green Power on the second row, alongside Colin Veijer of Liquid Moly Husqvarna Intact GP.

Ivan Ortola of MT Helmets – MSI leads the third row, aiming to progress through the field in Sunday’s race. Farioli fought his way from Q1 to secure eighth on the grid, ahead of Scott Ogden of MLav Racing and Stefano Nepa of LEVELUP – MTA, rounding out the competitive top 10. However, notable names like Taiyo Furusato of Honda Team Asia and Tatsuki Suzuki of Liquid Moly Husqvarna Intact GP missed out on the opportunity to contend for pole position.

The Moto3™ grid is now poised for an action-packed second race of the season on Sunday at 11:00 (UTC).

Pictures Official MotoGP Press Release