Portugal – Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin won the Portuguese Grand Prix and took the lead in the MotoGP championship, while rookie Pedro Acosta claimed his first podium in the top class with a blistering load.
The 19-year-old Acosta finished third, Enea Bastianini, on Sunday after Saturday’s winner Maverick Viñales, who was in second position at the time, crashed on the final lap with what appeared to be a technical challenge with the gearbox.
Australian Jack Miller finished 7th in his Red Bull KTM at the Algarve International Circuit on Sunday, more than 8 seconds behind, as reported by the Canberra Times.
Martin, last year’s title runner-up, took the overall lead ahead of reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia, who retired from the race following a collision with six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez on the Ducati Gresini.
Martin has 60 points after two races, while Brad Binder is second, 18 points. ArrayBagnaia was relegated to fourth in the standings after his 23-point crash.
“I knew what I was capable of. I started fast and looked to manage the tyres. Maverick and Enea were very close but in the end I saw a hole and it was enough to fight for the win,” Martin said.
He came off the line to take the lead at the first corner and set the tone for the race ahead, setting the fastest lap and extending his lead over Viñales.
In his second race in MotoGP, Acosta became the third-youngest podium finisher in the history of the premier class, moving from seventh on the grid to third.