P1racenews AI automatic summary:
After finishing third in Saturday’s MotoGP Sprint, Marco Bezzecchi bounced back and stormed to claim a flag-to-flag race win in Portimao.
Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi rebounded from a third-place finish in the MotoGP Sprint on Saturday to clinch a decisive flag-to-flag victory in Portimao, securing his second Grand Prix win of the season and solidifying his position as the leading non-Ducati rider behind Marc and Alex Márquez in the championship standings. Bezzecchi claimed the victory with a commanding 2.5-second gap, at one point extending it to 4 seconds. This year, Aprilia achieved a new milestone by winning three MotoGP races in a single season—two with Bezzecchi and one with Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse at Phillip Island. Despite the progress made by Aprilia, Bezzecchi acknowledged the need to further improve to reach the level of Ducati’s Marc Márquez, emphasizing the team’s commitment to continuous development. Aprilia team principal Massimo Rivola praised Bezzecchi’s dedication and teamwork, highlighting his consistent improvement and effective communication within the partnership, underscoring the importance of understanding both technical data and the rider’s feedback in achieving success on the track.
