Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) – one of the very hot candidates for the continuation of the season from Portugal. Unless he injured himself, he is one of the men with the highest potential for improvement compared to the season opener in Qatar.

Summary of the most important facts before the first free practice

Along with the KTM riders, Jack Miller was the man most likely to speak of a completely screwed up season opener in Qatar. Having entered the race as the main favorite after his best time on the last day of testing in Losail, the Australian only crossed the finish line in ninth place twice in a row. Of the riders who, like him, had managed to set a few highlights last year, only the KTM squad was worse. Because Brad Binder managed a significant improvement in the second race in Qatar, at least with P8, he can still be left out. But Petrux, Oliveira and Lecuona, who has looked absolutely out of place in MotoGP since 2020, went through hell.

Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo) -Converted from self-proclaimed World Cup favorite to Mister 80 percent within two races. The Australian only sees himself as an outsider for the Portuguese GP after his arm-pump operation.

The confusion at KTM knows no bounds
In an interview with Red Bull Media’s almost in-house news portal, the sports director of the Austrian manufacturer spoke clearly about the complete failure of the first double race of the season. The fact that the confusion at KTM knows hardly any limits was evident from the fact that the man in the wheelchair spoke seriously of what is now the fourth season in MotoGP. However, since they started in 2017, they are already in their 5th year. With Pit Beirer looking this confused and desperate, the rest of it is easy to imagine how hopeless the oranges are currently seeing their own situation.

Danilo Petrucci on his beloved Ducati in the 2020 season – the KTM doesn’t seem to suit him at all so far. After Iker Lecuona, he is the next candidate to be expected to have a short career at Tech 3. The likeable northern Italian seems completely lost when it comes to oranges and doesn’t seem to really feel at home in Hervé Poncharal’s French team, and that’s certainly not just because he misses Italian pasta at Ducati so much.

The tones became noticeably quieter
It is also interesting that the German was still mocking all opponents back then when KTM had profited extremely from the previous lockdown lifting in Austria. None of the other teams including Aprilia had a chance to test it until shortly before the start of the season. Without their extreme test advantage in the previous year and Pol Espargaró, there is now a risk of falling back into the third division. According to many voices from the MotoGP paddock, the fact that Beirer’s notes have now become noticeably quieter definitely suits him well. It will be interesting to see whether there will be another increase at the start of Europe, otherwise it will soon be tight for the oranges. After all, it is already certain that Remy Gardner will replace the pale Iker Lecuona for Tech 3.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) – the South African took 8th place in the second race of Losail, the only top ten result in the double event in Qatar. At least in Portugal, many trust his teammate Oliveira to achieve a result in the top 5 after last year’s victory. But at the moment the worm is in the oranges, with Pedrosa already running test rounds in Jerez. The European kick-off may bring the hoped-for turnaround for KTM.

Andrea Dovizioso and Aprilia – another test planned in Mugello in May

The expectations of many fans have not yet been met, at least for the time being. The man from Forlimpopoli just drove the Aprilia in Jerez for 3 days on a trial basis. But apart from another test on May 11th and 12th in Mugello, there was no news that many had hoped for an early use in the race. Nevertheless, there is still hope and if the northern Italian really wants to return to MotoGP, at least a wildcard for Aprilia is the best way to do this. Without showing his face in the paddock and at a race in the near future, it is questionable whether he will receive another offer from a top team.

Andrea Dovizioso in Jerez de la Frontera at the Aprilia – his number 4 would fit this bike well, many of his compatriots think, and we are happy to agree with them. Without further races in the course of the year, Dovi’s return is highly questionable in expert circles.

Andrea Dovizioso to his Aprilia adventure: „Getting back in the saddle of a MotoGP bike was pretty exciting, and I would like to thank Aprilia Racing for that. It was three very interesting days, mainly devoted to finding the best position on the bike. Together we decided to do another test in Mugello in about a month and to work on some aspects of the bike in the meantime.“

Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) – the World Cup leader, surprising for many observers. On December 19, 2020, we warned against underestimating the French in a look back and outlook. In any case, since the Losail double race, this is completely superfluous. After being the towering man at Ducati, everyone has him on their radar for good.

The “new” Fabio Quartararo – almost no pressure before the European season

Last year it was a curse and a blessing that after the first double race in MotoGP history in Jerez he was world championship leader with two victories. Not only he, but also Yamaha in particular often had huge problems with the new Michelin tires. There are currently many indications that the new M1 should also work as hoped in Europe. As far as the young Frenchman and his Monster Energy Yamaha team-mate Maverick Viñales are concerned, the way should be clear for both of them for a strong season. However, the truth about this is only known on the Sunday after the race in Portugal. Above all, the Spaniard first has to prove that he can manage a consistent season and can consistently be at the fore.

Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) – after fifth place and a victory in Losail, the Frenchman is second to his compatriot Johann Zarco in Portugal. There are many indications that we will see a new and much more dangerous Fabio this season. The same applies even more to Zarco, who finally has the package with which he can show his true potential. We experienced a first taste in Qatar.

The former king of the “saves” returns

We have mentioned the most important aspect before Marc Marquez returned to his Repsol Honda after a compulsory quarterly break in the surtitle. Twenty to thirty falls were the norm for him each season. The Autodromo do Algarve near Portimão is an extremely demanding route, on which there are hardly any breaks apart from the long start-finish straight. We would have bet against it at any time that he would try his comeback here of all places. But you can’t measure Marquez by normal standards, we are of course absolutely aware of this. If he does all free practice sessions and the race, we won’t know until Sunday afternoon whether it was a mistake not to wait until Jerez. It is clear to him, at least, that if he is going to drive, he will not show any reluctance. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be Marc Marquez.

Alex Marquez (LCR Honda) – with his season opener in Qatar anything but a good role model for his older brother. A broken foot fell during tests and in both Losail races. It is important to prevent this as much as possible for Marc Marquez, who is also extremely prone to falls.

The possible spoiler for Marquez and the rookies – the weather

If the current forecast of April 14th for Friday occurs, the comeback of Marquez, like that of the rookies, should be under a rather bad star. At the moment, rain is announced for Friday from noon. According to the forecast, the probability is currently around 75 percent. If this happens, there is a risk that only the FP1 will remain dry and thus only 45 minutes to get used to it. This would of course make it much more difficult for all riders, but most of all for those who have never ridden their current bikes in Portimão. Of course, this applies to all classes and would benefit those drivers who had already completed many kilometers at the Autodromo do Algarve. Above all Miguel Oliveira, Aleix Espargaró and HRC Honda replacement Bradl.

Miguel Olivera (Red Bull KTM) – the man with the greatest track knowledge in Portimão and, as last year’s winner, one of the favorites for the race on Sunday. Unlike most of his opponents, he doesn’t care about the forecast for Friday, as long as it won’t be wet on Sunday for the Portuguese Grand Prix. In wet conditions, the local hero still has relatively little MotoGP practice.

The schedule for the European kick-off in Portugal

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