Let’s Do This Again
We continue in Qatar for the second round of the 2021 MotoGP season
MotoGP
Round two was held in Qatar once again due to the current pandemic. Ducati now had their serious faces on as though they may have the speed, last race showed the importance of tyre management. It was down to business then, with two Ducatis leading the grid. However, both were satellite riders with Johann Zarco of Pramac Ducati in second and, even more surprising, teammate and rookie Jorge Martin on pole. At the lights, it was Ducati mania as the Italian holeshot device bamboozled the grid once again. Once again, however, they could not seem to run away from the Suzukis and Yamahas.
It was only time before the Japanese motorcycles started making their moves. Alex Rins of Team Suzuki Ecstar started making inroads with the Ducatis upfront. He was soon followed by teammate and current world champion, Joan Mir, as well as the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider, Maverick Viñales, as they picked off the Ducatis and hunted down the Pramacs at the front.
But the race was for none of the above; that medal went to the Frenchman and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider, Fabio Quartararo. Quartararo rode a stellar race, cutting through the ranks with confident precision. With laps to spare, the Frenchman took the lead and never looked back. Catching him would be impossible considering the state of tyres towards the end, giving Quartararo a deserved first victory of the season. Johann Zarco fought well with his rookie teammate, Jorge Martin, to take second place, giving Martin his first podium in MotoGP in third.
Qatar has indeed been quite a surprise with the Ducatis falling prey to the Yamahas. Next, we head to Europe starting with Portimao, Portugal. Catch all the action MotoGP always offers on Eurosport India and Discovery Plus.
Moto2
The second race of the season turned out to be very similar to the first one. Sam Lowes on the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team once again got off to a great start, taking the lead and continuing to victory. The British rider has been showcasing brilliant form and completely dominating the field in Moto2 this year. Lowes was once again followed by the Aussie, Remy Gardner of Red Bull KTM Ajo, who too seemed like the only competition for the Brit. Gardner, however, could not find the pace to beat Lowes and settled for a brilliant second spot.
The fight for third was between Gardner’s team partner, Raul Fernandez, and the Sky Racing Team VR46 rider, Marco Bezzecchi. Fernandez got the better of Bezzecchi, taking a comfortable three-second lead over the Italian and a much-celebrated third place for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team.
Moto3
The second race in Qatar saw two familiar names up on the podium. Darryn Binder of Petronas Sprinta Racing once again showcased his ability with a second-place finish in a once again manic race. He was followed by the Italian, Niccolo Antonelli, on the Avintia Esponsorama Moto3 machine who finished in a commendable third place.
The victory, however, went to Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Ajo who, for the second week in a row, put on a brilliant performance to take the victory. This win puts Acosta in the championship lead with Binder following close behind. Last week’s winner, Jaume Masia on the second Red Bull KTM Ajo machine, could only manage a mere ninth place. Up next, the racing heads to Europe starting with Portimão, Portugal.