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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1495752
VOLUME ISSUE MARCH , P71 impressive. After finishing 12th and getting thoroughly spanked by his new teammate Miller in the sprint race, he put up a much stronger fight in the fea - ture and was looking good for a podium at one stage. As was Alex Marquez. The Spaniard was having a stellar Ducati de - but, using the missile-like speed of the Ducati to keep the others behind down the front straight. Both would eventually drift back in the standings but the results are a good omen for the year. Up front, Bagnaia used his metronomic pace to eventually break the charge of Vinales, who had to settle for second but well clear of the fight for third that eventually went to Bezzecchi, with the Italian leading home Zarco, Marquez, Binder, Miller, Quartararo and Aleix Esparagro, that group covered by just 1.3 seconds. Tenth went to Honda debutant Alex Rins. Bagnaia's performance marked the first time a number- one-plated machine had won the first MotoGP race of the year sliced up the inside of Martin and took Martin's leg off the footpeg before continuing at almost undiminished speed, T- boning Oliveira in a bone-jarring incident. Oliveira and Marquez both went flying yet Martin somehow stayed on the bike, with Marquez immediately rush - ing to the stricken Oliveira who was clutching his right leg. As it turned out, Oliveira didn't break anything but sustained severe bruising to his leg and hip, while Marquez broke a right metacarpal and has been declared unfit for the upcoming Argentine MotoGP. Marquez will also have to serve a double long-lap penalty when he returns to action, a pen - alty many riders have criticized with Aleix Espargaro calling for a one-race ban. When the dust settled, Bag- naia and Vinales moved into a clear lead with Marco Bezzec- chi, Alex Marquez, Jack Miller and Brad Binder (KTM) all fight- ing over the final podium place. Binder was particularly ESPARGARO KO'D Friday ended under a dark cloud after Pol Espargaro's hor- rific crash. The GasGas rider crashed at turn 10, flew through the gravel and impacted the trackside barrier at considerable speed, suffering a pulmonary contusion, jaw fracture and a fractured dorsal vertebra in the process. "It was a high-energy crash," said Dr. Angel Charte, MotoGP Medical Director. "For all regions of the back, he is per- fectly okay in the cervical region, and neurologically he is fine and didn't lose consciousness in any moment. He is conscious, very aware but slightly sedated." The 31-year-old was transferred to Faro hospital by helicopter, 30 minutes from the circuit, on Fri- day evening for further checks. MILLER FINDS HIS GROOVE No one was more surprised by Friday's result than Jack Miller. The Australian improved his personal best lap time at the track aboard a KTM from the preseason test to Friday afternoon by a whopping 1.2 seconds. "Actually, I found a shortcut at turn three and then also in the last sector," quipped Miller when asked how he found that lap time. "Already with the new engine, we made a big step. With the new chassis, we made a big step and then also with the change in philosophy in terms of electronics and so on, we've made a massive step. "Exit by exit, session by session, I feel like I can make this bike more and more my own and also start to exploit the strong points of Briefly... Portimao MotoGP Sprint Race