Eric Uribe
We’re inching closer and closer to the start of the brand-new MotoGP season. Things get officially underway with the Portugal Grand Prix on Sunday, March 26. Ahead of the return to Algarve International Circuit, we have a complete betting guide to the 2023 MotoGP Portugal race. Not only are we analyzing the new machines, but we’re dropping our best betting picks to win the first race of the year. Keep reading if you want to have an edge on other bettors!
2023 Portugal Grand Prix Betting Preview
MotoGP drivers were just at the Algarve International Circuit last weekend for pre-tests. You can’t preview the 2023 MotoGP Portugal Grand Prix without starting with those results, which gave us a taste of what could be in store for the rest of 2023.
For starters, it once again looks like Ducati is the team to beat. They’ve won the Constructor’s Championship three years in a row, and a fourth in 2023 should be the expectation. That’s because the Ducati GP23 exceptionally performed well at testing. The bike isn’t all that different from a year ago, but the handling is noticeably better. The top-notch performance of the machine was on full display when Checo Bagnaia broke the existing lap record with a 1m37.968s on the second day.
Yamaha has a so-so performance during testing. Its lead driver, Fabio Quartararo, was vocal about improving the bike all of 2022. They did, and even Quartararo quipped, the machine is “in a better position” now than last year. Still, Yamaha wasn’t even near Ducati’s level — nor was any other team for that matter.
From good to ok to downright bad, Honda had a dreadful performance over testing. With Marc Marquez seemingly healthy again, there was optimism Honda could seriously compete in 2023. But those hopes were dampened somewhat during testing. Joan Mir led the team with a 13th-place finish. The results led to Marquez saying Honda “cannot be optimistic” coming out of testing.
Best Bets To Win 2023 Portugal Grand Prix
Ready to lay bets on who wins the 2023 Portugal Grand Prix? Welp, before you do that, it will literally pay to know the current odds available at top betting sites for MotoGP. Among the entire racing field, the following riders are currently most favored to win on the grid:
| Rider |  |  |  |
| Francesco Bagnaia | +120 | +120 | +120 |
| Enea Bastianini | +360 | +360 | +360 |
| Marc Marquez | +540 | +540 | +540 |
| Fabio Quartararo | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Jorge Martin | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
Being as it’s the first MotoGP race of the season, you don’t want to get too cocky and lay just one bet on the outright winner. No, play it safe and bet on at least two different riders — which is more doable since everyone is plus-money at the moment. Going off that, here’s the competitors most worth backing with a bet:
Francesco Bagnaia
Alright, this picks is obvious isn’t it? But hey, after breaking a lap record at this track days ago, you don’t need to overthink this bet whatsoever. Bagna is a no-brainer bet to make here as he defends his world championship for the first time.
Don’t just take out word for it, but hear what competitors said about Bagnaia during testing. Former teammate Jack Miller said, “I think this year he seems more of a changed man, a confident man, and he’s riding pretty impressive.” And then there was Quartararo who cursed — “fucking hell” — when he saw Bagnai’s record-breaking lap time. Bagnaia is the bet to make for the foreseeable future.
Enea Bastianini
Bagnaia’s biggest threat this year might be his own teammate, Bastianini. Both will be the benefactors of Ducati’s superior machine this year. With four wins a year ago, Bastianini definitely proved he has the “killer instinct” to compete for a world title in 2023. We’d take him as our alternate wager here.
How To Watch 2023 Portugal Grand Prix?
Per usual, NBC/CNBC has exclusive TV rights to MotoGP during 2023 in the United States. One of the two networks will air every single race this season. However, only a few of them are broadcast live. Since most of these events take place overseas, the time zones rarely allow for live broadcasts during regular TV hours for US audiences.
Take for instance the Portgula Grand Prix. It’ll be shown on CNBC at 1:30 pm EST — which will be long after it ended across the Atlantic Ocean. Take that into account if you’re betting and trying to avoid being spoiled while watching.
How To Bet On 2023 Portugal Grand Prix?
The 2023 MotoGP season is filled with betting opportunities. Not only is there 21 rounds, but the sport added sprint races to every Grand Prix. The sprint races are half-distance (worth half-points) and will take place every weekend of a Grand Prix event. MotoGP added them to the mix to give the sport a shot in the arm as it falls behind other motorsports like F1 and NASCAR in general interest. Bettors should rejoice cause that’s now double the amount of MotoGP betting opportunities in 2023 at trusted online sportsbooks!
If we were you, we’d get to selecting a sportsbook to last you the season. Any one of the sites listed below could effectively be a one-stop shop for MotoGP betting this year. Be sure to stick with us in 2023 because we’ll be dropping picks on the regular right here on-site!
