05 Apr 2021 - 9:21
French rider Fabio Quartararo of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP celebrates on the podium after winning the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha, yesterday.
Rizwan Rehmat/ The Peninsula
Frenchman Fabio Quartararo last night couldn’t have chosen a better time or circuit to announce himself as a threat to his rivals in the new season.
The 21-year-old Monster Energy Yamaha rider won the Tissot Grand Prix of Qatar ahead of compatriot Johann Zarco and Spanish pole winner Jorge Martin to nail the second round of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.
Once a popular name on the junior circuit where he won six Spanish championship titles including successive CEV Moto3 crowns in 2013 and 2014, the young Frenchman completed the 22-lap race in a time of 42:23.997 after grabbing lead with five laps to go.
French delight as Quartararo storms to dream Qatar win under lights thepeninsulaqatar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thepeninsulaqatar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Quartararo claims victory in a breathless Doha dogfight
We witnessed the closest top 15 finish in history at the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha as the MotoGP™ gladiators treated us to an unbelievable dogfight under the desert lights. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) emerged victorious as he and second place Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) hand France their first double premier class podium since 1954. History made there and history secured for rookie Jorge Martin too as the Pramac Racing star bags his maiden MotoGP™ rostrum.
The start was again a sight to behold as both Pramac Racing riders got away perfectly from P1 and P2 on the grid, but Qatar GP race winner Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) went backwards as Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) propelled himself from P12 to P4 in an absolutely stunning start for the Portuguese star. Both Suzukis got away very well too, as did third place Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) but it was
Tissot Grand Prix of Doha: Vinales expects tough challenge in second MotoGP week thepeninsulaqatar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thepeninsulaqatar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.