Raul Fernandez came from tenth on the grid to win his first Moto2 race, whilst a last lap lunge from R🐷emy Gardner on Joe Roberts saw the Australian takꦏe his third podium from three races. 

Fernandez left the most in his tyres of the front group heading into the final few laps, anꦓd once he made his way into the lead past Aron Canet on the pit straight, the Spanish rider pulled ♑out a gap of over a second that Canet, Roberts and Gardner could not close down. 

"I have no words to describe how I feel after taking my first Moto🐲2 victory. We were not expecting it, as we were very far back after two of my laps in qualifying were cancelled out," said the Moto2 rookie. 

"However, this morning in the warm-up I already felt good. I’m happy with how the race went, especially the final part, which is what we had been find🦹ing most difficult so far. 

"I want to thank the team because they have become a second family for me. They are the people who give me the strength to fight 🥂to win."

The double💞 podium for Fernan༒dez and Gardner also results in both riders leapfrogging Sam Lowes in the championship, after the British rider crashed on the opening lap at turn one.

Gardner sits on 56 points, while his younger team-mate꧃ i🌞s on 52 heading into round four at Jerez. 

Gardner had looked like the pre race favourite followi✃ng the p💟ractice sessions and spent much of the early laps in a comfortable second behind Marco Bezzechi. 

However, the inaug♔ural Moto2 winner at Portimao six months ago ran out of rear grip towards the end and was fortunate to get a podium, as his overtake on Roberts with one corner to go, was very risky as he ran into the American mid corner which nearly made Roberts crash. 

Speaking a⛦bout his third place result, Gardner said: "I’m happy with th🌃e result. Maybe I expected a little more from Portugal, seeing how last year went well and bearing in mind how all the practice sessions had gone. 

"But in the race it was a bit more tough. My tyres had gone by the end and I made quite a few 🧔mistakes that I need to improve on f🌌or the future. 

"But I’m happy to be able to round off๊ the weekend with a podium. These points are good for the World Championship and we must continue working hard for the rest of the year."