Podium finish for Morbidelli in Spain

a tough start to the year by his high standards, Franco Morbidelli clinched Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team’s (SRT) first podium finish of the season at the Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix on Sunday.

Morbidelli, who started from second on the grid, rode an aggressive yet well-calculated race against the factory men to cross the line third at the Jerez Circuit as the highest-placed independent team rider.

Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia secured a 1-2 finish for the Bolognabased factory squad.

Former SRT man Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha), who led in the first half of the race, faded after struggling with arm pump issues to finish13th.

Morbidelli said he had his crew chief Ramon Forcada to thank as his last-minute setting changes paid dividends.

“It was an incredible race, and I was able to push so hard throughout,” said Morbidelli.

“Forcada worked a bit of his magic to increase the grip and improve my feeling on the bike.

“I’m pleased with this result and happy to reward the team with this podium. It feels wonderful to be back up there in this year’s competitive championship.”

Teammate Valentino Rossi, however, continued to struggle with the rear-end grip issues and concluded the race out of the points at 17th.

“It was a difficult race because I did not have the speed. I suffered a lot with grip issues. “The pace I had during the race was pretty much the same as in practice,” said Rossi, who had started from 17th on the grid.

Morbidelli is eighth in the overall MotoGP standings with 33 points, while Rossi is down in 21st with four points.

Bagnaia leads with 66 points, two more than second-placed Quartararo. Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha) is third on 50 points.

The World Championship will head to Le Mans for the French Motorcycle Grand Prix on May 1416.