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Marco Bezzecchi claims Portugal Grand Prix pole as Alex Marquez crashes out, Francesco Bagnaia finishes ahead of Nicolo Bulega
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Published 08/11/2025 at 12:53 GMT
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Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi took pole position in qualifying at the Portugal Grand Prix on Saturday, ensuring he takes an advantage into both the day's Sprint race and Sunday's full-length event. Bezzecchi's rival Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini) crashed out as he slipped to fifth place, with Ducati Lenovo's Francesco Bagnaia claiming fourth place, well ahead of his team-mate Nicolo Bulega.
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Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi secured pole at the Portugal Grand Prix on Saturday, while Alex Marquez crashed out as he failed to reach the front row.
Bezzecchi will now start in pole for both Saturday afternoon’s Sprint race and Sunday’s full-length event - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - as he looks to maintain his third-place spot in the standings. The Italian cannot challenge Marquez for the Spaniard’s second spot, while the BK8 Gresini rider suffered a crash in the dying stages of the second qualifying session to finish in fifth place.
Marquez appeared unhurt by the crash and was able to return to the paddock on a scooter.
Ahead of him on the second row is Ducati Lenovo’s Francesco Bagnaia, with the final second row spot taken by Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR).
With Bezzecchi taking pole, he will come under attack from Pedro Acosta (KTM) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) in second and third place, respectively.
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The top 10 was completed by Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46) on row three, and then Aleix Espargaro (Honda).
There was an impressive display from Ducati Lenovo's second rider for the remaining two MotoGP weekends. Nicolo Bulega has been promoted after his World Superbikes title win and will have two outings with the MotoGP team while champion Marc Marquez recovers from an injury.
The 26-year-old Italian has little experience on the MotoGP bike for Ducati, but was less than a second off the pace of the day’s fastest rider, which TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson argued in his column would be a promising result.
Finishing the first qualifying session in 18th spot, he was faster than Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha), Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia) and Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR).
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Fernandez forced out after dislocating shoulder
Bulega was also a better performer than Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse, but that came at the expense of an injury to the Spaniard.
A heavy crash on Friday for Fernandez in FP1 meant that he had to visit hospital for a check-up.
It was later disclosed that he had dislocated his shoulder, and while he took part in FP2 on Saturday morning, his team decided that he should withdraw from the remainder of the weekend's action.
"Trackhouse MotoGP Team rider No. 25 Raul Fernandez has withdrawn from the Grand Prix of Portugal," the Trackhouse team confirmed.
"Following the heavy impact he suffered crashing at Turn 1 in Friday’s Free Practice 1, the discomfort in his left shoulder is such that the decision has been taken on the grounds of Raul’s wellbeing and safety.
"He will commence treatment in an effort to be fit for the final round of the championship, at Valencia, in one week.
"While unfortunate, the team want to ensure that Raul is fully supported in the decision to take no further part in the event in Portugal and he receives the best medical treatment to aid a full recovery.
"Further news of Raul’s condition will be communicated as soon as an update is available."
Watch and stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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