MotoGP witnessed a thrilling Portuguese Grand Prix, with Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) claiming a dominant victory from lights to flag. The race unfolded with drama at the front, while a rookie sensation carved his name into the premier class record books.
Starting from third on the grid, Martin grabbed the holeshot and led every single lap of the 25-lap race. He displayed exceptional pace throughout, managing the lead effectively and setting the fastest lap on lap 15. This dominant performance marks Martin's first Portuguese Grand Prix win of the 2024 MotoGP season.
Behind Martin, a captivating battle unfolded for the remaining podium positions. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Team) secured second place in a dramatic turn of events on the final lap. Aprilia's Maverick Viñales, who had been running a strong second, experienced a suspected gearbox issue that forced him to slow down on the pit straight. This allowed Bastianini to slip past and claim the runner-up spot.
Vinales' misfortune presented a golden opportunity for rookie Pedro Acosta (Tech3 GasGas). The 19-year-old prodigy, starting from seventh, battled his way through the field and capitalized on the chaos at the front to secure a sensational third-place finish. This achievement marks Acosta's maiden MotoGP podium in just his second Grand Prix start, making him the youngest rider ever to achieve this feat.
Further down the field, another dramatic incident unfolded between reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing). While battling for fifth on lap 22, the duo collided at Turn 5, forcing Bagnaia to retire. This incident will be reviewed by the stewards after the race.
With his dominant win, Martin now leads the 2024 MotoGP Championship by 18 points over Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Bagnaia's retirement drops him to third in the standings, 23 points behind the leader.
The stage is set for an exciting continuation of the MotoGP season, with Martin leading the charge and young talents like Acosta making their mark on the premier class.
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Image credit of Motorsport Images