Difficult start in MotoGP: fracture for Márquez after contact with Oliveira and victory for Bagnaia before arrival in Argentina

The previous MotoGP landing at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit, in Santiago del Estero, had it all. On Fridays, Pol Espargaro broke his jaw and a dorsal vertebra during the first free practice session of the Algarve Grand Prix in Portimao (Portugal), and this Sunday the Spaniard Marc Marquez ended up with a fractured thumb after hitting hard against Miguel Oliveirain a race won by the defending champion, the Italian Francis Bagnaia (Ducati).

In the first round of the season, Bagnaia finished ahead Maverick Vinales (Aprilia) and Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati-VR46), in a race in which polesitter Márquez crashed and had to retire, suffering a new fracture after suffering a humerus injury in the last two years.

“It was long! I’m not used to doing such long races anymore”underlined the winner, referring to Saturday’s dispute in the first ‘sprint’ race, which he also won.

After starting from pole position at the Portimao circuit, Márquez (Honda) dropped out after a violent crash with the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia-RNF), also forced to retire.

The Spaniard, six-times world champion in the top category, suffered a fractured thumb on his right hand, according to reports from his competitors.

“Possible fracture of the first metacarpal (thumb) of the right hand in the N.93 rider. He will undergo further tests at the Dexeus hospital in Barcelona”underlined the MotoGP.

If the injury is confirmed, it would be a major blow to the 30-year-old, whose last three seasons have been marred by various physical problems and operations.

Oliveira, the local idol, got off to a great start after starting fourth on the grid and finishing second. Despite the spectacularity of the maneuver, he only suffered a bruise on a leg.

Second on the starting grid, behind Márquez, Bagnaia took control of the race from the second lap.

At the finish line, the fourth position went to the Frenchman John Zarcothanks to an excellent comeback from three positions on the last lap.

The other French Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), MotoGP world champion in 2021, finished in eighth position, after starting tenth on the grid.

On Saturday Bagnaia had already won the first sprint in MotoGP history, a new shorter race format which will be held throughout this season on the eve of the traditional Sunday appointment and which gives up to twelve more points in the World Championship, in addition to those awarded in the grand prix.

In the World Cup ‘Pecco’ still commands, with 37 points (the maximum possible), ahead of Vinales (25) and Bezzechi (16). Zarco is fourth with 15.

Strongly absent from the starting grid at Portimao, Enea Bastianini (Ducati), also Italian, suffered a violent crash in Saturday’s sprint. The 25-year-old rider has a fractured scapula and will be unable to be at the Argentine GP next week.

In the lower categories, the 18-year-old Spaniard Pedro Acosta (KTM Ajo) prevailed in Moto2, starting third. He took first place on the second lap and won ahead of his compatriot Aron Canet.

In Moto3, the Spanish Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) resisted the pressure of the competition to the end and won the first race of his career at 17 years old.