Superb tricolor double in Portimão. Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) easily won the Portuguese MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of his compatriot Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac). The first thus takes the lead in the World Championship on equal points with the Spaniard Alex Rins (Suzuki) who finished 4th.
Quartararo dominated the race head and shoulders, finishing more than 5 seconds ahead of Zarco, who started from pole position. His compatriot took advantage of the clash between Spaniard Joan Mir (Suzuki) and Australian Jack Miller (Ducati) as the three riders fought for 2nd place. The two Frenchmen had already achieved a double in this order at the Doha Grand Prix a year ago.
“I was impressed by Fabio. He is so fast. I tried to follow him but failed. This second place is very important, ”rejoiced Zarco, now 5th overall, at the microphone of Canal +.
A taste of revenge
For Quartararo, this success has a taste of revenge on a complicated start to the season. At the foot of the wall after a single podium (2nd in Indonesia) in four races, and a provisional 5th place in the general classification of the drivers, some doubts were beginning to appear. His machine indeed suffers from an obvious lack of power, with a top speed that makes 10 to 15 kilometers per hour for Suzuki, Ducati, and Honda. The layout of the tests is therefore very important. Here in Portugal, he was able to show off his riding technique on a more twisty course with fewer straights.
“I pushed myself to the limit,” he said. I made a great start and I’m happy to win for the first time this season”. Next meeting next weekend in Jerez, Andalusia (Spain). “I am very optimistic for this race, thanks to this victory I will be full of confidence on this circuit that I love. I had physical problems there last year but I’m in better shape this year and the objective will necessarily be very high. I learned a lot of things in complicated times like Argentina and the United States and I am now able to do things that I did not do before. I feel really good right now. »