STANDING OVATION WORTH DEBUT FOR MARQUEZ AT PORTIMAO
The result was there on paper, but then it is all about making it happen, especially when starting from 12thplace on the grid. Alex Marquez did not disappoint, as he made it back to the top five for the first time since over a year (he was fourth in 2021 at Portimao).
After a good start, the Spanish rider managed to quickly get up to speed and made the most of the opportunities given – also due to a few crashes ahead of him. The #73 battled for third with Bezzecchi for most of the race, then towards the end, he had more to defend his position from the determined KTM riders trailing him – with only Zarco able to pip him almost at the line. Still, the valuable points scored today give him plenty of confidence to pack for Termas.
On the other side of the garage, it was a weekend to forget for Fabio Di Giannantonio. After starting from last place on the grid, the Rome-born rider had to deal first with a coming together with Morbidelli, and then with a forearm problem that forced him to retire.
5th – ALEX MARQUEZ #73
“I tried in every way to maintain fourth place but I didn’t close the door enough at Turn 14 and Zarco took advantage. Being the first race I can’t complain, and surely we’ll head to Argentina with great confidence. I gave 100% and even had a look at the podium… something that hadn’t happened in a while.”
DNF – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49
“It surely wasn’t the weekend I was looking for. We didn’t have a bad start to the race, but then I lost a front winglet in a coming together with another rider and then after a few laps the right forearm wasn’t responding the way it should have. I couldn’t hit the brakes anymore and therefore had to retire. Now we need to recover the fitness condition for Termas, and quick.”
