Spaniard comes through first 2021 competitive outing for Repsol Honda.
Marc Márquez came through his first competitive MotoGP race since he injured his arm in the 2020 season opener with seventh in Sunday’s Portuguese GP at Portimão. The Spaniard had to sit out the opening two 2021 races on doctor’s orders, however looked like getting back to his old self this weekend with impressive practice, qualifying and race pace.
With new Repsol Honda teammate Pol Espargaró pulling into the pitlane early with a technical issue, Márquez made a brilliant start from the second row to battle with Australian Jack Miller as Frenchman Johann Zarco continued his great start to the season by leading early.
Márquez tagged 2020 champion Joan Mir, which saw him slip back down the field as Ducati’s Miller slid out on lap four as well as home hero Miguel Oliveira of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, who remounted but was only able to trail home a lap behind after winning here last season. Sadly for Zarco he also slid out on his Ducati with six laps left, leaving Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder to claim fifth and Márquez seventh behind back-to-back Yamaha winner Fabio Quartararo.
Márquez, 28, told Autosport: “I’m a person who likes to keep the emotions inside, but when I arrived in the box with all my mechanics I just exploded and I couldn’t control the emotions. It’s the biggest step in my rehabilitation, my recovery and to feel again a MotoGP rider. When I arrived in the box, of course I was tired and exhausted.”
Spaniard Álex Márquez finished eighth, while Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami picked up six points for Honda in 10th, Italian Danilo Petrucci three in 13th and Spaniard Iker Lecuona one in 15th.
Portuguese Grand Prix result
1. Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 41’46.412
2. Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati +4.809
3. Joan Mir SPA Suzuki +4.948
4. Franco Morbidelli ITA Yamaha +5.127
5. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +6.668
2021 MotoGP standings after round 3 of 19
1. Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 61 points
2. Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati 46
3. Maverick Viñales SPA Yamaha 41
4. Johann Zarco FRA Ducati 40
5. Joan Mir SPA Suzuki 38