MotoGP Portugal 2024: Martin registers emphatic win as Marquez, Bagnia collide

The 2024 Portuguese Grand Prix proved to be a perfect edge of a seat thriller as MotoGP fans witnessed some high-octane action at the Algarve International Circuit on Sunday. Jorge Martin recorded his first victory of the season to win the Portuguese GP as the Spaniard maintained a clean lead through the entirety of the final race.

While Martin’s victory was undisputed, other results were determined at the last moment. Two crashes, including one in the last lap, played a significant part in the final result tally of the Portuguese GP led by the Prima Pramac racer. Martin led the field on the entry into turn one, making a perfect start to the final race of the Portuguese GP.

MotoGP Portugal 2024: Podium finishes for Bastianini, Acosta

Enea Bastianini continued his good form throughout the 2024 MotoGP Portugal and took second place. The final lap took a dramatic turn of events after sprint winner Maverick Viñales, who maintained the second spot for the longest duration, shockingly crashed out at the start of the final lap. It is suspected that the Aprilia racer possibly faced some technical snags before running too wide off the track.

However, the star of the day was 19-year old Pedro Acosta who miraculously managed to leave behind heavyweights like Brad Binder, Marc Marquez, and Francesco Bagnaia. The Spaniard who recently made his MotoGP debut at Qatar last week, became the third youngest racer to attain a podium finish ever in the history of the sport.

All the leading racers were gunning for the fastest lap time between the 20th and 22nd lap with the tyres all warmed up by then. Bastianini recorded the fastest lap of the race at 1 minute 38.685 seconds beating Viñales’ 1 minute 38.815 seconds who came out second best.

MotoGP Portugal 2024: Bagnaia, Marquez clash on track

Despite all the excellence seen at the Algarve, the biggest talking point of the race will surely be the clash between Bagnaia and Marquez just before entering the penultimate lap. The reigning world champion and the eight time world champion fought vigorously for the fifth spot. 

Marquez made a move at turn five, passing Bagnaia before running wide, allowing Bagnaia to try to get the cutback, resulting in both riders coming together, and both crashing out. Bagnaia would retire to pits whereas Marquez continued outside of the points. The collision was placed under review by the MotoGP Stewards Panel but no foul play was found. Hence, both riders escaped without any penalty points.