Verdict on Sprint races at Portuguese MotoGP? "Some points, not enough! Maybe you risk?"

The first Sprint race of the 2023 season is on Saturday afternoon at the Portuguese MotoGP - these are the fears, concerns and beliefs from riders about the significant new change to the schedule.
MotoGP bike line-up, Portuguese MotoGP, 23 March
MotoGP bike line-up, Portuguese MotoGP, 23 March

Rules of MotoGP Sprint races

  • Every round of the 2023 championship will have a Sprint race.
  • Two Friday practice sessions are extended, the results determine entry to Q2.
  • The starting grids for the Sprint race and for the full Sunday race are both determined by the qualifying results from Saturday.
  • The Sprint race is half the normal race distance, and half points will be awarded (12 points for a win, 1 point for 9th).
  • Results are not listed in the MotoGP history books - they are listed separately.

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Aleix Espargaro: "It will be deman𒀰ding physicallyꦯ. You can risk so much, finish seventh, win three points, but it’s nothing!

"For sure, the Sunday race remains key for the championship. I’m really excited. I will try to organise us as ꦯbest as possible. The second weekend will be better than the first, the third even better.

"Last season, Friday was not important. But this year, Friday is very impo▨rtant so you have to🌃 wake up more aggressively.

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Marc Marquez: "Sprint races, honestly I like them. The weekend is too demanding for riders. FP2 is l🤪ike qualif✤ying. It is demanding to have 42 races.

"We will enjoy the sprint race, and so will the spectators. As Dorna ꦺsaid when they introduc🅺ed the schedule, in the future we will adapt. We need to consider all these things."

MotoGP bike line-up, Portuguese MotoGP, 23 March
MotoGP bike line-up, Portuguese MotoGP, 23 March

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Miguel Oliveira: "Every day will count. I don’t know what to think. It depends in which position we qualify! There are some points, not enough, maybe you risk, but the risk-reward is not great, and it won’t cha𝓰nge Sunday’s grid."

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Francesco Bagnaia: "It changes the strategy of the weekend. With the sec𝓀ond practice there is more time. I tried 𝐆a sprint race and felt good, but it’s a different way to approach a race.

"You have to push like hell without considering the rear tyre. After three or four races, we will u𝔍nderstand better how to approach the weekend🐈."

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Fabio Quartararo: "We are coming from 21 races to a full season of sprints. If it helps the fans to g🔯row the sport, it’s good. But also it’s an extra risk." 

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Enea Bastianini: "I have to be ver𒊎y fast from early, which is not ܫmy strategy in a long race. It will be new for everybody."

James was a sports journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everythﷺing from American sports, to football, to F1.

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