A thrilling duel: 73 vs. 37
A thrilling Saturday at the Autódromo do Algarve: Álex Márquez (Gresini) wins the Tissot Sprint after a spectacular duel with Pedro Acosta (KTM), finishing 0.120 seconds clear at the finish line. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia), starting from pole, completes the podium by half a second, always close behind the two Spaniards.
How it went
Bezzecchi takes a holeshot from P1, then Acosta takes the lead early in the race; Álex Márquez moves up and begins a highlight-reel battle with the #37 KTM between T1 and T5. With four laps to go, Márquez makes the decisive move: perfect control until the checkered flag, with Acosta right behind and Bezzecchi ready to capitalize on every mistake.
Top 10 of the Sprint
1. Á. Márquez — 2) P. Acosta — 3) M. Bezzecchi — 4) F. Quartararo — 5) F. Di Giannantonio — 6) F. Aldeguer — 7) J. Zarco — 8) F. Bagnaia — 9) B. Binder — 10) P. Espargaró. 
Notes from the back
An unlucky debut for Nicolò Bulega (Ducati Lenovo): he crashed on T13, leaving him outside the points. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) stopped with a technical problem in the early stages. 
Impact on the Standings
With today’s win, Álex Márquez consolidates his second-place finish behind former champion Marc Márquez; Bezzecchi extends his lead over Bagnaia in the race for third place, while Acosta closes in on Bagnaia: he is now −19. 
Tomorrow
The race is on Sunday at 2:00 PM (CET): Bezzecchi will start from pole ahead of Acosta and Quartararo. If the Sprint was a teaser, the GP promises fireworks.
