Francesco Bagnaia made headlines during the final MotoGP test at Portimão, shattering the previous lap record as he set a blistering time of 1:37.968. This remarkable lap was nearly eight tenths faster than his own pole record from the 2021 season.
"I’m really happy with today’s result, and it shows our potential going into the season," said Bagnaia, highlighting the significance of his performance on the world stage.
Bagnaia’s domination wasn’t limited to his own achievement. Every rider who finished within the top twelve exceeded his previous best of 1:38.725 from two years ago, underscoring the competitive nature of this year’s grid.
Johann Zarco, riding for Pramac Ducati, put up a strong performance to secure second place, clocking in at 1:38.264. "It’s great to see the progress we’re making," Zarco commented, reflecting a positive outlook for his team as they gear up for the racing season.
Fabio Quartararo showcased significant improvements with his Yamaha, ending the day in third with a time of 1:38.302. The former world champion attributed his success to adjustments made to his bike setup, saying, "Going back to the 2022 aero and settings with the 2023 engine really gave us the boost we needed."
The Mooney VR46 team also had a strong showing, with Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi finishing fourth and fifth respectively on their Ducati GP22 machines. Marini expressed satisfaction with the team's placement: "We worked hard in testing, and it’s nice to see it pay off with strong results."
Enea Bastianini, Bagnaia’s teammate on the factory Ducati team, clocked in sixth fastest, while Alex Marquez and Jorge Martin rounded out the top eight, ensuring strong representation for Ducati in the upper ranks. Marquez noted, "There’s a lot of competition among us, but it’s all part of the challenge that drives us."
Brad Binder put in an impressive performance on his KTM RC16, securing ninth place, and managing to outpace a trio of Aprilias that followed. Binder said, "We’ve been working on our race pace, and it’s nice to come here and see it improve."
The final results for the test at Portimão reflect a promising start for the riders as they prepare for the upcoming season. Testing concluded on a high note, and riders will now focus on their strategies and preparations ahead of the season opener in just two weeks.
As teams return home, the anticipation builds for the first race of the 2023 MotoGP season, where these performances will be put to the ultimate test. With the competitive landscape so tight, fans can expect an exhilarating start to the championship.