MotoGP

MotoGP LIVE: Who will win the race in Portimao?

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia came too close to each other in Portimao.(Bild: X.com/MotoGP)

Motorcycle world champion Francesco Bagnaia has lost the overall lead in the second round of the MotoGP World Championship after a collision with Marc Márquez. Victory in the Portuguese GP in Portimao went to the Spaniard Jorge Martin, who also took over the world championship lead. Behind Martin's Ducati brand colleague Enea Bastianini, 19-year-old young star Pedro Acosta finished third on a KTM, making him the third youngest rider on the podium in the premier class.

KTM was able to celebrate a very strong result overall. Behind the two Ducatis, riders from the Upper Austrian motorcycle manufacturer finished third, fourth and fifth with Acosta (GasGas), South African Brad Binder and Australian Jack Miller (both Red Bull KTM). "It's unbelievable what happened. Pedro, what he did was abnormal," said KTM Head of Motorsport Pit Beirer in the ServusTV interview.

Jorge Martin(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Moto2 World Champion Acosta completed his second race in the premier class, beating World Champion Bagnaia in the finish and benefiting from a technical problem suffered by sprint winner Maverick Vinales on the final lap. The Spaniard is now the youngest podium rider in the MotoGP era. "The bike was perfect," said Acosta, praising his ride.

Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin and Pedro Acosta (from left)(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Crash between Bagnaia and Marquez
Defending champion Bagnaia and eight-time world champion Marquez had a spectacular crash. In the duel for fifth place, Bagnaia touched his Ducati colleague and both crashed. Bagnaia got back on his bike, but retired shortly afterwards. As a result, he dropped back to fourth place in the overall standings with 37 points behind runner-up Martin (60), Binder (42) and Bastianini (39). Acosta (28th) follows in fifth place.

The third race of the season is scheduled for April 14th in Austin/Texas.