Doha (AFP)
First French double in the premier motorcycle speed category!
Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) won the Doha (Qatar) Grand Prix, second round of the MotoGP season, ahead of Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac) on Sunday.
The Spanish debutant Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac), who had signed the pole position, completed the podium (his first in the elite for his second race only) on the Losail circuit.
To find two Tricolores on a podium in the premier category before them, you have to go back to ... 1954 in France, in Reims, for the victory of Pierre Monneret ahead of Jacques Collot, 3rd.
The icing on the cake, even if it remains anecdotal so early in the season, Zarco now leads the drivers' standings with 40 points, four lengths ahead of Quartararo, 2nd.
For the two French people, it is also the second race with their new teams, integrated during the winter.
The Spaniards Alex Rins (Suzuki) and Maverick Vinales (Yamaha), winner of the Qatar GP on the same track last week, close the top 5.
Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), defending champion, Spaniard Joan Mir (Suzuki), South African Brad Binder (KTM), Australian Jack Miller (Ducati) and Spaniard Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) follow. ).
Note the once again disappointing performances of the Italians of Yamaha-SRT, the reigning vice-champion Franco Morbidelli (12th) and the legend Valentino Rossi (16th after having achieved the worst qualifying of his career in GP, finished 21st and before last).
As a reminder, the Spaniard Marc Marquez (Honda), who is still treating a fractured right arm suffered last summer, is forfeited at least for the first two races of the season.
After a month in Qatar since pre-season testing, MotoGP will now return to Europe, starting with Portimao (Portugal) from April 16 to 18.
© 2021 AFP