MotoGP Portimao, Oliveira wins. Morbidelli third and runner-up

The GP of greetings ends with the sign of Miguel Oliveira, a prophet in his native land. The small and anomalous 2020 world championship, with the drivers’ title already awarded a week ago to Suzuki’s Spaniard, Mir, says goodbye with the success of the Portuguese, who in Portimao with the Ktm Tech3 achieved the second victory of the season, dominating from pole. A peremptory performance for him, ahead of Jack Miller, who on the last lap overtook Franco Morbidelli for the place of honor. However, the Italian Yamaha Petronas can console himself with the title of world runner-up – just 13 points behind Mir – confirming his high level now achieved.

Builders

Another pending verdict was that of the constructors ‘championship: it was won by Ducati, who overtook Suzuki – they were paired yesterday – with the Hamamatsu house tripping over the last hurdle with Rins’ modest 15th position. Paradoxically, the constructors’ championship rewards the manufacturer Borgo Panigale who has only won 2 GP, while Yamaha has won 7, but has been punished by the irregular valves of the Spanish GP. The finish obviously adds shine to Ducati, it’s their second team title after 2007, and fuels the usual disquisitions about the real goodness of the Desmosedici and the ability of its often-targeted flaggers to know how. make the most of it.

Bittersweet greetings

In the farewell race, Andrea Dovizioso, on his way to a sabbatical, greets Ducati with pride for 6th place, while Valentino Rossi is 12th in his last race as a Yamaha Official Team rider. Vale closes in behind Vinales, but ahead of Crutchlow, farewell to racing to become a Yamaha test rider, and Fabio Quartararo. The fact that the three 2020 M1s are between 11th and 14th should make Iwata think a lot about the year ahead. Good 4th place for Pol Espargaró, who greets Ktm, destination Honda Hrc, with a solid performance and precedes Nakagami. Aleix Espargaró’s eighth place with Aprilia is significant: the manufacturer Noale, weakened by Iannone’s disqualification for doping, closes in crescendo with his best seasonal result.

The race

Counterpart tire options: almost all with medium front and hard rear. Go smoothly, with Oliveira in command of Morbidelli and Miller, while Bagnaia immediately leaves the scene, Mir, in the rear, risks falling and Binder retreats. Crutchlow shines in the main pursuers and battles with Pol Espargaró, Bradl and Zarco. Oliveira escapes, Morbidelli and Miller continue their rhythm and the fight is in the group between 4th (Pol Espargaró) and Dovizioso (10th). Mir gives up on lap 16, Dovi climbs back up and Crutchlow makes a long and bloody journey with 5 laps to go. In the final Miller attacks Morbidelli and his attack is successful, reversing the result of the last Valencia GP, although with less pathos. Curtain. Applause and holidays for everyone: you deserve it.