MotoGP Portimao: Race preview

MotoGP returns to Portugal after an incredible four flyaway races, with Gresini’s Enea Bastianini back in the hot seat.

As the dust settles after a headline maker in Austin, the European leg of the season is just around the corner. The destination is the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve as the first of a back-to-back sees the paddock head for Portugal, and there is plenty to talk about after another shake-up last time out.

Bastianini is the natural place to start as the ‘Beast’ blasted back to the top step in style in Texas. In so doing, the Italian also took back the championship lead and made quite a statement taking Ducati’s first win at the track, backing up a season opener in Qatar that was impressive but on Borgo Panigale happy hunting grounds. COTA was different, and Bastianini is, according to Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller, with whom he shared the podium in Austin, also different – with rider not machine making the difference on, amongst other things, tyre life. That bodes well as the Bologna bullets face down Portimão.

The aforementioned Miller took his first podium of the season last time out though, and while it wasn’t a win it was a nevertheless impressive and hard-fought third place. He has been on the podium twice in Portugal too, and after bad luck denting his place in the standings so far, he’ll want to stay in the podium postcode. Teammate Pecco Bagnaia, meanwhile, also has two podiums at the track and one was a win – with the Italian having proven a masterful opponent last season. As he rebuilds some good form after a fairly nightmare first two races, will familiar and successful turf see him take another step forward?

Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin had a likewise difficult opening two races before