MotoGP Portugal | Page 16

sit fifth and sixth overall after solid opening results to the year . The Suzukis also endured a nightmare at Portimao last November , but with full focus in place , it should be a different outcome this time around .

Factory Ducati ’ s Francesco Bagnaia will be keen to build on his stellar performances in Qatar , when he scored a pole position and a brilliant third place in the season opening Grand Prix . A costly mistake in race when braking for turn one put paid to his podium chances , but the Italian sits fourth overall and will be keen to test the Ducati ’ s strengths around the undulating Portuguese venue .
Round three of the season also offers a chance to several names that underwhelmed at the first two races . KTM will be keen to bounce back from the Qatari frustration , with Miguel Oliveira eager to repeat his dominant performance at this race at the end of last year . Petronas SRT Yamaha ’ s Franco Morbidelli was one of the preseason favourites , but struggled to 18th and 12th place finishes in Qatar . He ’ ll surely be a challenger here after his third place a year ago .
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