The Portimão track has been Miguel Oliveira’s “home” for the last 15 years, nine of them in MotoGP. The apotheotic reception he received on the stage of fanzone to the sound of “A Minha Casinha”, by Xutos e Pontapés, after a 16th place in the race sprint, It is just one example of the affection and support that the Portuguese have felt these days at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. And he has made a point of thanking us with autographs, smiles and lots of selfies unimaginable.
Outside the circuit you can feel the true pulse of the passion for motorcycling. There are thousands of MotoGP lovers who live the event intensely, buy tickets, consume merchandising and spend money on a fanzone very Portuguese in terms of gastronomy, with bifanas, bread with chorizo and custard tarts, while in the paddock parade VIPguests of the teams, sponsors, the organization of the Portuguese Grand Prix, the owner of the championship, Dorna, and the International Motorcycling Federation.
In the bustling and colorful fanzoneValentino Rossi’s mythical 46 already loses to Miguel Oliveira’s 88. At 3pm sharp, the square falls silent, eyes on the giant screen as the engines start for the race. sprintwhich was won by Alex Márquez (Ducati). They enjoy the race for the pleasure of the race and do not demand more from the home rider, after the disastrous qualification for his last Portuguese Grand Prix in MotoGP.
On Sunday, at 1:00 pm, from 19th place on the starting grid for the bye race at home. In 2026, the Falcão will fly to BMW and Superbike, leaving the elite of the world speed race. And as much as the organization of the Portuguese event defends that the event lives for itself, the 88 will be greatly missed by the thousands of shirts, caps and flags that parade these days at the race track, in the Portimão area.
“We are a small country, but we are very big. I see lots of Portuguese flags all over the circuits and that says a lot about us. We like to be there for our people and I will always be grateful for that, because they were always there during my journey, which was unexpected, had never happened before. I don’t want everyone to like me, but I hope that many have started to like this sport more”, said the driver, who, last Thursday, took around 3000 people to the launch ceremony of the Portuguese GP, an inspiring moment for around 1200 kids eager for the Portuguese driver’s attention. And when he saw a kid in tears in front of him, he picked him up and sat him on his motorbike.