Portuguese GP: Quartararo claims first win of the season, Marquez sixth

Bengaluru, April 24: France's world champion Fabio Quartararo of Monster Energy Yamaha registered his first win of 2022 FIM MotoGP World Championship season at the Portuguese GP in Algarve International Circuit on Sunday (April 24).

On a day to remember for France, he was joined on the podium by pole-sitter Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) in second, while Aprilia Racing's Aleix Espargaro benefitted from late drama involving Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) to clinch the last spot on the podium.

Quartararo, whose previous race win was at the British Grand Prix in August 2021, is now tied at the top of the 2022 FIM MotoGP World Championship with Team Suzuki Ecstar's Alex Rins, who put in the ride of the day by recovering from 23rd on the grid to finish fourth.

Portuguese GP: Zarco steals thrilling pole, Marquez 9th Portuguese GP: Zarco steals thrilling pole, Marquez 9th

Another strong comeback rider came courtesy of the home hero Miguel Oliveira.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing man clinched a top five to bounce back from two crashes on home soil in 2021.

Portuguese GP: Stage set for Portimao rollercoaster Portuguese GP: Stage set for Portimao rollercoaster

For the first time MotoGP was treated to a Marquez vs Marquez battle on the final lap of the race.

LCR Castrol Honda's Alex Marquez was holding off elder brother and six-time MotoGP world champion Marc quite brilliantly as the laps ticked by, before then, on the last lap, the Repsol Honda man squeezed his way through to take sixth place by only 0.020sec ahead of Alex.

Marc Marquez held off challenge from brother Alex to finish 6th.

Half a second back, Ducati Lenovo Team's Francesco Bagnaia was gritting his teeth to salvage eighth place thanks to a last lap move on Repsol Honda's Pol Espargaro. Aprilia's Maverick Vinales took the final place inside the top ten.

So in the end, Quartararo eased past Mir early in the Portimao classic, though, and never looked back as he cruised to the win, while all the drama happened behind him.

Portuguese GP: Marquez leads Honda 1-2 at Portimao rollercoaster as wet conditions prevail Portuguese GP: Marquez leads Honda 1-2 at Portimao rollercoaster as wet conditions prevail

Previous 2022 FIM MotoGP World Championship leader Enea Bastianini crashed out on lap 10, appearing to clip the seam of the curb at turn eight before sliding off the track while in 10th place.

Mir was left fighting for second place and was eventually overtaken by a determined Zarco, but things were to get worse for the Spaniard as Jack Miller, while attempting to pass on the inside, slid his bike and took both of them out of the race at the start of lap 16.

The MotoGP caravan now moves to the famed Jerez circuit for the Spanish GP on May 1.

RESULTS (Top 10)

1. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
2. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 5.409
3. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) + 6.068
4. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 9.633
5. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 13.573
6. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) + 16.163
7. Alex Marquez (LCR Castrol Honda) + 16.183
8. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 16.511
9. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 16.769
10. Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) + 18.063

STANDINGS

RIDERS

1. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) 69

2. Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) 69

3. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) 66

4. Enea Bastianini (Gresini) 61

5. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) 51

TEAMS

1. Suzuki Ecstar 115

2. Aprilia Racing 91

3. Monster Energy Yamaha 86

4. Red Bull KTM 81