France’s Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) easily won the Portuguese MotoGP Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of compatriot Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac) to lead the world championship by equal points with Spaniard Alex Rins (Suzuki) who finished fourth. Quartararo dominated the race, more than 5 seconds ahead of Zarco, who started from pole position. The latter took advantage of the confrontation between Spaniard Joan Mir (Suzuki) and Australian Jack Miller (Ducati), while the three drivers were competing for second place. Spaniard Alex Espargaro (Aprilia) finished third and occupies the same place in the provisional classification of the tournament.
Quartararo, the outgoing MotoGP world champion, claimed his first MotoGP victory since the British Grand Prix last August. He now has 69 championship points after four races, as does Rins. ‘I pushed myself to the limit’Fabio Quartaro said. “It was a great start and I’m happy to win for the first time this season.”The French said.
Zarco said after the end that it was “impressed” Quartaro’s dominance. “It’s a great French victory but unfortunately not mine.”he said while never winning a race in MotoGP.
Quartararo and Zarco already doubled that standings at the Doha Grand Prix a year ago. Italy’s Ina Bastianini (Ducati-Gressini), who was leading the championship before the Portuguese Grand Prix, has fallen to fourth in the standings with 61 points, ahead of Johann Zarco (51).
