The long wait has come to an end and a new story its about to get written. Moto GP returns back in action, with an all new weekend format, that would shake up the competition, as of today, the sprint races make a debut, after today’s qualifying session. Here’s a quick view of the starting grid of the first ever sprint race at Algarve International Circuit.

1. Marc Márquez /// 2. Francesco Bagnaia /// 3. Jorge Martín
4. Miguel Oliveira /// 5. Jack miller /// 6. Enea Bastianini
7. Maverick Viñales /// 8. Marco Bezzecchi /// 9. Luca Marini
10. Johann Zarco /// 11. Fabio Quartararo /// 12. Aleix Espargaró
13. Álex Márquez /// 14. Joan Mir /// 15. Brad Binder
16. Álex Rins /// 17. Franco Morbidelli ///18. Takaaki Nakagami
19. Augusto Fernández /// 10. Raúl Fernández /// 21. Fabio Di Giannantonio

A big finishing lap saw Marc Marquez getting his 62th pole position at Moto GP, following by defending champion Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin closing the front row.

Riders aligned on the grid and the first ever sprint race was underway. Honda rider Marc Marquez kept the pole at the start of the sprint, but was quicky overtook by the Ducati of Francesco Bagnaia, as Jorge Martin also make his way through Marquez and was 2nd at the moment, meanwhile several accidents occured on track. A big one between Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini, and other minor incidents for Joan Mir and Marco Bezzecchi.

Several laps saw a contested battle between the front of the pack, as Jorge Martin took the lead from Francesco Bagnaia, as Jack Miller was gaining on the riders up front, first with a move on Marquez and the taking provisional 2nd from Bagnaia. Several riders joined the front fight, as Oliveira, Aleix Espargaro and Viñales were close of the leading group.

There was uncertain of who would took the highest points of this sprint, as the top 3 spots were still on the air, Marc Marquez made a late charge and was able to regain 3rd place on the last laps. As for Bagnaia, the world champion was able to snatch the win on the first ever sprint, as the Ducati rider made his way to the front on the last lap.

Sprint results:

1. Francesco Bagnaia /// 2. Jorge Martin /// 3. Marc Marquez
4. Jack Miller /// 5. Miguel Oliveira /// 6. Maverick Viñales
7. Aleix Espargaro /// 8. Johann Zarco /// 9. Alex Marquez
10. Fabio Quartarato /// 11. Raul Fernandez /// 12. Brad Binder
13. Alex Rins /// 14. Franco Morbidelli /// 15. Takaaki Nakagami
16. Fabio Di Giannantonio

DNF: Marco Bezzecchi, Enea Bastianini, Luca Marini, Joan Mir, Augusto Fernandez

A historic event for the bike motorsport, saw the first ever sprint race taking place, as riders gain half of the points, compared to the distance of the race. Starting grid will remain the same from the qualy session, as riders who crashed today, might get a chance to recover, after an unfortunate turn of events, at tomorrow’s race.

And as something new this season, get ready to enjoy the sprint race with the unique point of view of MiniBikers.

MiniBikers – MotoGP Sprint
2023 Portuguese GP