Qatar Grand Prix - Losail

[René]

Also for the MotoGp boys the season starts this weekend and like the F1 circus, it starts in the desert!

As mentioned before, the racing begins without Marc Márquez. Will he start at all this year?

Joan Mir will start as defending champion. Will the Suzuki be good enough to hold off the Yamahas and Ducatis who look very fast?

Bring it on!

[charleselan]

As with F1 I sat down and viewed MotoGP FP2 which was good and entertaining with some great performances, but Ducati look very strong here. They also look superb in their very gloss red colours, I like gloss paint on performance vehicles .

The Ducati's have loads of aero devices on them currently, all within the rules. Goodness me they even have something low down on the fairing sides that promote ground effect when the bike is leant over in the corners.

Fabio looks strong once more but the Yamaha's are still short of top speed, a major failing of this motorcycle.

Incredibly the BTSport commentary team are still saying that when Marquez comes back he will win the championship with ease. Personally I would hold on that thought chaps as we do not know what he will be like when he returns, foolhardy to think he will be the same rider as before. He might have had a mental reset and realise that he can no longer throw caution to the wind anymore, or just might lack the physical strength and ability he once had.

Time will tell.

[chrisb]

oh am so so pleased to see the return of these beasts, 354 kph!! ouch, that is so fast, despite the circuit and its night racing it has been such a welcome return and sight, I watched both sessions - especially as the weather was so awful it did make it easier, and it was exciting

The Ducati's look so strong, Jack is riding well but Peco is as well, and I think it will be tight between them, but my money is on Johan - he has that little bit extra and I do feel he is the championship's dark horse, and totally agree JC, predicting Marquez will win upon his return is premature, we don't know how the injury will effect him, it may make him a better rider it may not but to make such predications at this stage seems silly.

The Yamaha's look great provided they have a clear circuit and don't have to rely on their top speed, that is some gap, but what it does it makes it interesting, Suzuki look ok, but it is race time that they shine, Honda, not sure Pol has got to grips with it yet, as for the others they seem as they were, KTM look to be struggling a bit especially Petrucci, and the rookies are all looking good, but the package that is looking very good is Aprilla, they are very fast and if, as predicted Dovi likes it then they really will prosper, looking forward to today's qualifying and also good to see the 'old man' doing so well

[René]

Guys, I rely on your MotoGP knowledge for the in-depth analysis.

[chrisb]

oh my word, despite the circuit, what a brilliant starter to the season thus far, 365 kph!! ow.... great qualifying from all three series, it is such a 'shame' the weather is so poor today...will just have to watch it live, the opening laps will be really exciting, it would be great to see Sam win in Moto2 and Johnny in Moto3 but Darren is looking very very good, as for MotoGP, wouldn't it be a hoot if Rossi won, I know he got a real drag from Peco but 4th for a 42 year old, wonderful, Yam vs Ducati with Suzuki coming good in the last 5 laps, whatever it is going to be very exciting, I do wonder if Peco will disappear into the distance but if the Yamaha's get a run then they will look so good, really looking forward to this

[charleselan]

Another enthralling MotoGP race, and what a way to begin the 2021 season.

Before the race I had a sneaking feeling that this was going to be Mav's race, he just looked so strong in qualifying. Maybe with a very competitive team mate this has brought the best in him at long last.

The Ducati's looks amazing at the start and Bagnaia was looking so strong from the beginning but possibly ran the wrong strategy with his tyres. Johann Zarco was absolutely superb all race, I would have loved for him to have won but it will come this season haver no doubt. Pleased that he got back in front of Mir as well for he deserved that second place more in my opinion.

We see as always that MotoGP have the rules absolutely spot on in do many ways, it produces close racing and all the bikes have different concepts, a lesson that sadly F1 will never learn.

Brilliant win for Sam Lowes in Moto2, surely this is going to be his year. Stunningly brave ride by Jake Dixon considering the wrist injury that has not healed properly. Also brilliant to see another great ride by Remy Gardner, he is going to be a factor all year especially now he is in a top team.

[chrisb]

oh my word, what a briliant, fabulous race, or rather races, just incredible, such a great ride by Maverick, maybe marriage and an expectant wife has changed his perspective and he was just simply the best I have ever seen him, I am lost for words just how well he rode, Unlike John I wasn't confidant of his victory and feared the Yamaha's would do as Rossi and Franco did, but Maverick was just simply above all others that day. Fabio flattered but he is an intelligent rider and I expect more from him next weekend. the Ducati's were just as expected, missiles, so fast but lost a lot of that top speed on race-day which really helped Maverick, and the finish when they blasted past Jean was just incredible, what a weekend of drama, praise also goes to the Esparago brothers, Mat Oxley is suggesting that Honda will be a lot more competitive this weekend and the Aprilla finished an excellent 7th on merit, gosh knows what would happen once Dovi gets his hands on one, they really could win a race this year and wouldn't that please Ducati, who must be doing a lot of reflection, Johan was brilliant and fully justified my choice for victor, I wonder if he will end up the most successful Ducati rider this year?

And then there was Moto2, an all-conquering ride by Sam, great job by Remy and a brave one from Jake, wouldn't it be something if these three dominate the championship this year that would make me smile, as for Moto3, so so saddened by John's premature exit, as usual a victim of someone else's attempts - oh well John, whomsoever you angered at one stage in your life, please apologise and then hopefully your luck will change - it needs to, 

so looking forward to the next race, ok still in that desert but more of the same would be most welcome,