After a long wait, the fastest motorbikes in the world will roar again. They will do so on the weekend between March 24 and 26.
Portimao changed the status quo in recent decades and removed Qatar from its privileged position on the calendar. Tracks in the Middle East are currently closed due to ongoing renovations.
The riders have enjoyed two days of testing, the last of the pre-season, at the Portuguese track, so they have received useful data for further development of the bike and determining strategy. But apparently, it’s not enough because the race format is different.
Modified practice schedule to accommodate sprint races, scheduled for the afternoon of every Grand Prix Saturday.
Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati are the main favorites for the first grand prix. The Italian duo had good results in the winter tests, and they seem to be one step ahead of the rest.
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Pecco has the best record time at Portimao, which was recorded in 2021, with 1:38.725.
Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia, a priori, should also be the big favourites, although the Catalan had to go into surgery after tests due to a problem with muscular fibrosis in his right arm.
Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha and Marc Marquez from Honda are still struggling. The two mainstays of the Japanese factory team said that they were somewhat disappointed with the package they would get.
The following is the 2023 Portugal MotoGP Schedule
Friday (24/3/2023)
Moto3
P1 16.00-16.35
P2 20.15-20.50
Moto2
P1 16.50-17.30
P2 21.05-21.45
MotoGP
P1 17.45-18.30
P2 22.00-23.00
Saturday (25/3/2023)
Moto3
P3 15.40-16.10
Q1 19.50-20.05
Q2 20.15-20.30
Moto2
P3 16.25-16.55
Q1 20.45-21.00
Q2 21.10-21.25
MotoGP
FP 17.10-17.40
Q1 17.50-18.05
Q2 18.15-18.30
SR 22.00
Sunday (26/3/2023)
Moto3
Race 17.00
Moto2
Race 18.15
MotoGP
WUP 15.45-15.55
Race 20.00