Spaniard Pedro Tiburón Acosta, riding a Kalex, emerged as the overwhelming favorite for the 2023 Moto2 season by delivering a decisive victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix on the Portimao circuit. From the first moments, Acosta showed the drive that had many predicting a championship-worthy run, sealing the win with a clear margin over his closest rival. He crossed the line more than 1.3 seconds ahead of Arón Canet, with Italian rider Tony Arbolino finishing a touch further back in third place. This triumph marked his fourth Moto2 win and the tenth victory of his racing career.
Canet, also aboard a Kalex, startled the field by sprinting to challenge Acosta from the start and briefly took the lead, with the chasing Czech rider Filip Salac and other contenders striving to keep pace. The early rhythm carried through the opening laps as Celestino Vietti, another Kalex rider, settled into fourth place, while a series of penalties reshaped the battle behind the leaders. The Race Direction imposed a long-lap penalty on Italian racer Celestino Vietti, reshuffling the order ahead of a Spanish trio consisting of Albert Arenas, Jeremy Alcoba, and Manuel Gonzalez, known as Manugas, who were also affected by the day’s penalties.
By the second lap, Acosta had moved into the lead, with Canet close behind. Vietti maintained pace in the top group while Alonso Lopez, piloting a bike from Speed Up, faced a long-lap penalty for an earlier incident that involved a collision with Dutch rider Bo Bendsneyder. Borja Gómez also received a long-lap penalty for failing to follow the exit light as required by the race control rules. The evolving sequence of penalties and on-track battles began to shape the race’s rhythm and the final standings.
The reasons behind Vietti’s long lap became evident as Acosta extended his lead, leaving Canet as the only immediate threat. Behind them, a skirmish of riders formed a chasing pack, with the group led by González and Arenas and including Salac, Arbolino, Darryn Binder, who later crashed but recovered, and Somkiat Chantra among others. The field’s momentum oscillated as the riders sought to close the gap to the leaders while navigating the dynamic Portimao circuit. This tension defined the mid-stage of the race and kept spectators engaged as the laps counted down.
As the race progressed, Acosta established a steady tempo at the front, maintaining a comfortable advantage over Canet who remained within striking distance. The second group, composed of a mix of skilled rivals including Manugas and Alcoba, pressed forward, attempting to weave through the gaps and challenge for higher positions. The intense pace and strategic moves highlighted the tactical nature of Moto2 racing, where a single lap can redefine the order and shift momentum dramatically.
The Portugal victory reinforced Acosta’s status as a leading force in the Moto2 class, reaffirming his ability to sustain pressure and convert early speed into a durable, race-winning performance. Canet, showing resilience and quick pace, kept the pursuit going until the checkered flag, while the rest of the field continued to negotiate the penalties and the fluid dynamics of the Portimao circuit. The result added a notable chapter to Acosta’s growing career, underlining his potential to contend for the championship as the season unfolds.