Francesco Bagnaia seals victory at Portuguese Grand Prix to follow up sprint race glory in style

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, Ducati Lenovo's dominant Italian rider, won the season-opening sprint race in Portimao on Saturday afternoon, and he has now doubled up with another stunning triumph. Ad Pole had been claimed by Marc Marquez, but his current world champion 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.

Portugal Grand PrixBagnaia secures sprint race victory at MotoGP season opener in PortugalA DAY AGO 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, standing up on his bike, always looked to have the edge after he assumed control of the race with Marc Marquez having started the day on pole. 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 make him fight. Where the race was won and lost 1/25 OLIVEIRA LEADS — Plenty of contact and Oliveira goes ahead of Marquez. Bagnaia into