In Qatar, the lights went on for the first act of the MOtoGP 2021 show. It is a two-part show, given that the Qatariot track will host the world championship for the first two races.
Our riders, combative as always, did well but they certainly need a good luck charm.
Crash at the second corner for Petrucci, making his debut on KTM of the Tech 3 team, sixth place for Alex Rins, slowed down by falling tires, and a very close top ten for Stefan Bradl, excellent replacement for Marc Marquez on the Honda HRC.
In Moto2, Aron Canet's race is not bad, he didn't finish thirteenth but twelfth plus one, as per the superstitious tradition of his team and the great Angel Nieto ... and we go along with him.
To next week!
MOTOGP:
ALEX RINS 6th
"My start was not one of my best ones, so I had to push a lot to recover the positions I lost and catch up with the leading group. Already six laps before Joan passed me I was beginning to struggle with the tyres, so I think I cooked them. I did my best, and I’m pretty happy, but in the end I couldn’t manage to go higher. The bike felt good and my pace was strong, so I’m ready for next week!"
STEFAN BRADL 11th
"At the end of the day we have done a good first race and I am pleased. I think we suffered a little bit because of Qualifying, in the race we were able to run well and fight a lot. At the start of the race, I was maybe a little too conservative with the front tyre, I think Pol was more aggressive during this time and I could have gone with him, but it is better to bring the bike home than take too many risks in the first race. Maybe we could have done a little more and stayed with Pol, which would have been nice, but I am still pleased."
DANILO PETRUCCI DNF
"I don’t have many words. I’m just very sorry. Unfortunately, I touched another rider and crashed really hard at turn two. This is probably the worst thing, that could happen for my first race with the team. The good news is, that I’m not injured, which is super important. I’m so sorry for my guys and for everyone. We’ll try again next week!"
MOTO2:
ARON CANET 12th
"It was a very complicated race, we made some changes to the front end and it hurt us in what is our strong point, the braking. I couldn't brake hard, I fought with riders who brake much less. We were a bit tired at the beginning, with the new tyres, because my rivals had more grip at the start of the race. But in the final phase I had better pace, I was able to catch up with the group that was fighting for top 10, but it was not enough for me to fight to win the race, which is the goal this year."
