First-Ever Sprint Race Won by Bagnaia as Quartararo Struggles

He will forever remain the first: reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia won the first sprint in MotoGP history on Saturday, far ahead of Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, only 10th and therefore out of the points on the Portimao track, at the Portugal.

Thanks to his victory in this event which makes its appearance this year, the Italian takes the provisional lead of the championship, before the traditional Grand Prix disputed on Sunday, the first of a record season of 21 races.

Marc Marquez finished 3rd

Bagnaia finished ahead of Spaniards Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) and Marc Marquez. Started in pole position to everyone’s surprise, Marquez, six-time world champion in MotoGP, did not resist the onslaught of the two Ducati parties just behind him for long. “I spent a lot of energy, there are only 12 laps, but we did an extraordinary job today,” reacted the Honda rider at the finish.

Tenth in the sprint, Fabio Quartararo, 2021 world champion, fails at the points gate, behind his compatriot Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac), who, thanks to his 8th place, takes two points overall. The Niçois, who started only eleventh on the grid behind Zarco tenth, notably got off to a bad start before hitting the Honda of Joan Mir.

Held every day before the Grand Prix, the sprints represent the equivalent, in distance, of half the main race on Sunday. They also offer up to 12 additional points in the championship, in addition to the 25 points awarded the next day to the winner of the GP.

On Sunday, the starting grid for the GP will still be that determined on Saturday morning during qualifying. Marc Marquez will start on pole for the second time this weekend with the hope of signing his first victory in the premier class since the fall of 2021. And the 60th of his career. As for the sprint, he will start ahead of Bagnaia, 2nd, and Martin, 3rd.

A violent Italian-Italian clash

This first sprint was also marked by the violent collision between the Italians Enea Bastianini (Ducati) and Luca Marini (Ducati-VR46). The first was taken to hospital in Portimao and suffered a fractured shoulder blade. Its presence on the track for the rest of the weekend is not certain for the time being.

On Sunday, the starting grid for the GP will still be that determined on Saturday morning during qualifying. Marc Marquez will start on pole for the second time this weekend with the hope of signing his first victory in the premier class since the fall of 2021. And the 60th of his career. As for the sprint, he will start ahead of Bagnaia, 2nd, and Martin, 3rd.