Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia has added his name to the list of Algarve MotoGP champions after winning a red-flagged race on Sunday at the Algarve International Racetrack (AIA).
The race was cut short following a distressing crash involving Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira – who was looking to repeat his stunning 2020 victory at the same venue – and his Spanish rival Iker Lecuona.
Luckily, both riders appear to have escaped serious injuries.
Oliveira took to his social media pages to let his fans know that he was “apparently fine”.
“Thank you to all the Portuguese for the unique support I felt this weekend. It was not the outcome we wanted, but I will remember all the flags and all the cheering. I went to the hospital and apparently I am fine. In the coming days, we will look out for any symptoms that may appear,” he said.
Bagnaia’s win secured the constructors’ title for Ducati, while newly-crowned world champion Fabio Quartararo also crashed out.
“I’m very happy because I think this was my best weekend in MotoGP. I enjoyed every single session this weekend because when you feel so great with your bike, everything comes more easy,” said Bagnaia after the race.
“Therefore, I’m very happy with the work done compared to April (Portuguese GP) where I finished second. Today I felt more competitive, so I’m very satisfied.”
It was the third time in two years that a MotoGP race took place at the AIA, although it was the first that the event was open to fans. Around 28,000 people are believed to have been in the stands, although forecasts suggested that around 60,000 motorsports fans were expected.
The top-10 of the Algarve MotoGP was as follows:
1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
2. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 2.478
3. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 6.402
4. Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) + 6.453
5. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 7.882
6. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 9.573
7. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) + 10.144
8. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 10.742
9. Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) + 13.840
10. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 14.487
Valentino Rossi, a seven-time MotoGP champion who has announced he will retire at the end of this season, finished 13th.
The event was sadly marked by the death of a 45-year-old GNR agent in an accident involving the bike he was driving and a car at the entrance of the AIA (click here).
