The first day of testing at Portimao allowed us to observe almost all of the MotoGP riders riding on the same track, but with motorcycles from the series. With Aprilia being the only factory that still had testing concessions, they were the only manufacturer allowed to take to the track with their regular riders using the MotoGP prototypes. Concerning the other factories entered in the premier category, only their test riders were able to ride on the Portimao track with the MotoGP prototypes. And the others, then?
The duo of Ducati factory riders took to the track aboard the Panigale V4 Superleggera.
Valentino Rossi rode a Yamaha R1 version 2020, with a design close to his racing machine.
Alex Marquez was on track with the RC213V-S, the hyper-sporty Honda range inspired by MotoGP, released a few years ago.
As said previously, Aleix was able to ride his MotoGP thanks to the concessions that Aprilia still has. At the end of the day, he achieved a 1'40.170, or 2 tenths faster than the pole position achieved by Jonathan Sale this year in 1'40.373 on the Portimao circuit.
Bradley Smith rode with his teammate from the Noale brand, for a day on the 2020 RS-GP.
Johann Zarco rode his own classic Ducati Panigale V4s, not the Superleggera version
Alex Rins and Joan Mir both rode the Suzuki GSX-R, completely stock for the former, adapted for the latter.
Jack Miller used his personal Panigale V4R, dressed in Pramac and Red Bull decor. Miller arrived from his residence in Andorra by van. A simple pilot, as we like it.
Takaaki Nakagami looked quite comfortable on the new Honda Fireblade as he got to grips with the undulations of the Portimao track.
Maverick Vinales, like Valentino Rossi, was on a Yamaha R1 with a Monster livery. We notice here that Vinales uses a rear brake handle mounted on the left handlebar. Since he tried it for the first time in Misano on the M1, he can't seem to live without it.
Yamaha R1 still but with a VR46 Rdiers Academy livery for Franco Morbidelli.
Yamaha R1 still but with a completely black livery for Brad Binder.
Yamaha R1 still but with a completely white livery for Miguel Oliveira, the stage local.
