MotoGP Portimao: Quartararo dominates for French one-two stunner

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo celebrated a commanding victory in the Portuguese GP on Sunday.

The Frenchman met the flag over five seconds clear of countryman and pole sitter Johann Zarco to take the lead in the championship standings with Aleix Espargaro completing the podium after a dramatic race. Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins dispatching an incredible comeback from the back of the grid to fourth at the flag. The premier class action sat in the middle of the Portuguese GP schedule as the 25-lap race prepared. Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia in a lot of pain but cleared to compete after his massive highside during Saturday’s qualifying but starting from the back of the grid. Tech3 KTM’s Raul Fernandez declared unfit after damage to his right hand during his own Q1 crash.

Pramac Racing’s Zarco lined up on pole alongside Suzuki’s Joan Mir and Aprilia’s Espargaro with the second Ducati of Jack Miller narrowly behind in fourth. The second GSX-RR of Rins down in 23rd after a challenging weekend so far.

An impressive qualifying showing for Mooney VR46 placed Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini sixth and eighth on the afternoon’s grid ahead of the Repsol Honda duo of Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro.

Lights out and Mir grabbed the holeshot as Quartararo launched from fifth to second with Zarco back in third. Alex Marquez celebrating his birthday in fourth, from 14th, as Jack Miller leapfrogged to third shortly after. Home hero Miguel Oliveira ran fifth as the first lap concluded having started outside of the top ten, Espargaro just behind on the RS-GP before he bettered at the start of lap two.

Further back another stunning start saw Rins into the top ten from the back of the grid, Marquez behind, while Bagnaia struggled from