Marc Marquez, Enea Bastianini Portimao MotoGP
Marc Marquez, Enea Bastianini Portimao MotoGP

As it happened: Bagnaia wins first MotoGP Sprint of the year in Portimao

The opening MotoGP round of the season continues with the inaugural MotoGP Sprint race at Portimao.

Marc Marquez starts the Sprint and Sunday's Grand Prix from pole after a sensational lap that set a new all-time lap record. 

Joining Marquez on the front row is Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, while home favourite Miguel Oliveira is fourth

Crash.net will bring you live updates and all the latest news throughout the Portuguese Grand Prix weekend.

25 Mar 2023
16:40

We're back underway for the third time in FP2. 

16:33

Pol Espargaro has now been moved from the side of the track. 

16:21

Pol Espargaro is conscsious, that's the latest news we are receiving. 

16:17

Raul Fernandez, Miguel Oliveira and Pol Espargaro have all crashed in quick succession. 

16:17

Red flag! 

16:16
Espargaro to the top

Aleix Espargaro goes quickest for Aprilia. What a lap from the Spanish rider.

Aleix Espargaro, Portuguese MotoGP 24 March
Aleix Espargaro, Portuguese MotoGP 24 March

16:13

Marquez managed to go second momentarily before Joan Mir took second spot away from the former Honda rider.

16:12

Alex Marquez is on a lap that could challenge Martin for top spot...

16:09

Martin, Marquez and Marini are all under Bagnaia's official lap record.

16:05

He did until Martin came across the line to go four three quicker. 

16:05

Marc Marquez goes fastest!

16:02

With just under 30 minutes remaining Marc Marquez has already opted for a brand new soft rear tyre. 

15:58

The top three are split by just +0.013s as Vinales splits Marquez and Bagnaia. 

15:56

This is brilliant pace from Bagnaia as he goes second on combined times. 

15:54

Vinales is the current pacesetter from Martin and Espargaro. In terms of race pace, Bagnaia is looking very strong. 

15:47

There's been a double crash as Marco Bezzecchi and Augusto Fernandez have suffered fast crashes. 

15:42

Power is back on at the circuit and will get underway in 1 minute.

 

15:19

The timing transponder is the exact cause of the P2 stoppage.

15:16

It's a technical issue which has caused the red flag.

15:14
We have a red flag

The red flags are out!

15:11
Mir is down in sector four

Mir has also crashed in the final sector. Rider is okay.

15:09

The two factory Aprilia riders are the only men to have lapped under the 1m 39s barried so far in P2. 

15:07

Pol Espargaro has crashed in the final sector, while brother Aleix is currently quickest. 

15:02

While it's not expected to be under threat during the opening stages of P2, Alex Marquez's time to beat from this morning is a 1:38.782s.

15:01

Francesco Guidotti has confirmed Brad Binder is suffering from an injury after the Portimao test, where he crashes on the final day at turn 7. Binder was 22nd and last in this morning's P1 session.