The Recap of Portugal MotoGP 2022

Ever since the very first pre-season test for the 2022 season, Fabio Quartararo has expressed his displeasure with Yamaha’s inability to find enough additional horsepower for its latest YZR-M1 MotoGP machine. A lack of horsepower and top speed, he says, is the bike’s biggest shortcoming. This is in contrast to the other three Yamaha MotoGP riders, who feel that rear edge grip is the main limiting factor.

So far this year, however, Quartararo has totally, comprehensively and embarrassingly outclassed the other Yamaha riders. So, perhaps, the Japanese manufacturer would do well to listen to his feedback. After all, at the three circuits this year that have straights over 1km long, the Frenchman has finished ninth, eighth and seventh. And at the other two circuits – Indonesia and Portimao – which have straights less than 1 km in length, he’s managed second and first positions.

Miller crashes, taking out Mir

Mir tried his best to hang on to Quartararo’s tail, but eventually dropped off. That would be the least of his problems as the race progressed, though. As the Spaniard fell back, he slid into the clutches of a resurgent pair of Ducatis in the form of Zarco and Miller. The three riders became embroiled in an intense battle, with each rider and motorcycle combination displaying its strengths at different parts of the circuit, and the gaps between them ebbing and flowing. The three riders also ended up closely spaced on the track. He did manage to hold off Zarco for quite a long time, before eventually succumbing to the Ducati’s horsepower supremacy and being effortlessly passed down the main straight.

Zarco and Aleix Espargaro on the podium

With Miller and Mir out, Aprilia man Aleix Espargaro was promoted to third place, and he did his very best to try and convert that into second, bravely chasing down Zarco and coming within touching distance of the Ducati towards the end, but not quite close enough to strike. Behind them, Rins – the other Suzuki rider – put together a superbly entertaining charge of his own, overcoming a disappointing 23rd place grid spot to eventually finish fourth, having scythed through the field with an aggression that he has been criticised for lacking in the past. In doing so, he also secured joint first place in the championship standings, equalling Quartararo’s tally of 69 points.