Having started the two opening rounds of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship with a double victory, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are eagerly anticipating the third round in Portimao, Portugal, this weekend.
Still buzzing from winning the Grand Prix of Doha, Fabio Quartararo is filled with excitement going into the beautiful but tricky Autódromo Internacional Algarve track. Despite having had a difficult race there last year, the Frenchman has high hopes that he can carry the positive momentum from Qatar forward to this weekend‘s first European round of 2021.
El Diablo currently holds second place in the standings, with a 36-point total. There is only 4 points between him and the rider in first place, which will spur him on even further to produce a top result.
Maverick Viñales is a fan of the Autódromo Internacional Algarve‘s lay-out which allows riders to overtake in various places on the track, adding all the more excitement to the Portuguese Grand Prix. Last year, when the race in Portimao was the season finale, he scored 11th place. Though consistency in grip can be tricky at this circuit, the Spaniard feels that he can make a big improvement the coming weekend.
After a win in Qatar Race 1 and a fifth place in Qatar Race 2, the Spaniard is currently in third place in the championship, behind his teammate who also has 36 points.
The Autódromo Internacional Algarve is better known as Portimao, after the port city from which it is half an hour‘s ride removed. The circuit was opened in 2008 and first added to the MotoGP calendar last year. It immediately became a big hit with the riders but also especially the fans, who couldn't get enough of their heroes taking on this track that is famous for its elevation changes. The circuit has 15 corners – nine right, six left – and the front straight will allow the MotoGP riders to really stretch the legs of their machines before a unique downhill descend into Turn 1.
