‘Feeling was excellent’ in Qatar - Bagnaia; Miller not fully fit for Portimao

The 2021 MotoGP season heads to Portimao for round three with Ducati riders Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller fourth and ninth respectively in the championship standings. 

The Portuguese Grand Prix was not a happy hunting ground for the former Moto2 world champion last year, but with Bagnaia in considerably better form than he was at the end of 2020, he expects to ‘fight for another good result’ come Sunday.

"This break of almost two weeks has served me well, and now I'm ready for the first European Grand Prix for 2021!," added Bagnaia.  

"Portimão is a unique track: last year I struggled a lot here, but for me, it was a difficult moment of the season. 

"This year I'll face the Portuguese GP with a different mindset: in the last two races in Qatar, my feeling with the Desmosedici GP was excellent, which makes me confident. 

"I'm sure I have all the means to fight for another good result on Sunday." 

Miller goes into the weekend following two disappointing results in Qatar given his impressive pre-season form and race pace shown on occasion. 

During the first race in Qatar Miller encountered tyre issues, before struggling with arm pump at the Doha Grand Prix. 

The Australian had surgery following round two, and admits he ‘won’t be 100% fit’ this weekend, but aims to get the ‘best result possible’.   

Miller said: "After the operation on the right forearm, I have started the rehabilitation immediately, and everything is going as planned. 

"Portimão is a track that I really like, and I have great memories from last year's race when I was able to finish second on the podium after a thrilling scrap with Morbidelli. 

"Unfortunately, this year I won't be 100% fit, but I will do my best as always to try to get the best result possible."