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It is with an incredible pole position from Luca Marini on the Losail international circuit that the MotoGP class Qatar Grand Prix presents itself, to allow us to enjoy its Sprint race this Saturday. The Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider took his Ducati GP22 to the top right under the checkered flag, ahead of a great Fabio di Giannantonio by just 67 thousandths, the Gresini Racing rider still without a saddle ahead of 2024…

To Marini, it is the second pole in the Top Class, the sixth of his career, while for Ducati, it is the 88th pole in the premier category. Also on the front line is Alex Marquez, who “stopped” 0,136 seconds from pole on the second Desmosedici of Gresini Racing.

The leader of the world championship, Pecco Bagnaia, finished fourth and, in each outing, he was followed by Marc Marquez who then finished seventh and who seems to have taken the #1 Ducati as his wheel in each session. The Piedmontese driver overtook his rival in the title race George Martin (Pramac Racing), who in turn beat his teammate Johann zarco who only wants to help him in his quest for the world title.

In third row, we find Marc Marquez, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia) and Raul Fernandez (Aprilia SAT RNF). Fourth line for Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia), Brad Binder (KTM) and Augusto Fernandez (KTM Team GASGAS). The first city will have to move back six places after having attacked Franco Morbidelli on the track during FP2.

Among the others, we note Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati Mooney VR46 Racing Team) who will start from 13th place, fabio quartararo (Yamaha Factory) 14th, Enea Bastianini embarrassed by Iker Lecuona in his fast and very angry lap who therefore failed to pass Q1.

Qatar

What will this Sprint race have in store for us which will distribute the first very precious points at this stage of the Qatar Grand Prix season? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.

MotoGP Qatar™

2022

2023

FP1

1'54.851 Brad Binder (See here)

1'56.393 Jorge Martin (See here)
Practice

1'53.432 Alex Rins (See here)

1'52.843 Raul Fernandez (See here)
FP2

1'53.790 Enea Bastianini (See here)

1'53.531 Fabio Quartararo (See here)
FP4

1'54.420 Johann Zarco (See here)

XXXXX
Q1

1'53.512 Brad Binder (See here)

1'52.382 Johann Zarco (See here)
Q2

 1'53.011 Jorge Martín (See here)

1'51.762 Luca Marini (See here)
Sprint

XXXXX

Martin, Di Giannantonio, Marini (See here)
Warm-up

1'54.519 Enea Bastianini (See here)

(See here)
Course

Bastianini, Binder, P. Espargaro (See here)

(See here)
All time lap record

1'52.772 Francesco Bagnaia 2021 (See here)

1'51.762 Luca Marini (See here)

A duel at the summit awaits us in 30 minutes…

TEverything is possible...for these 2 title hunters, one already has it in his bag, Bagnaia, the other covets it fiercely...Martin!

It's time to make your predictions...

11 laps are to be completed on a 5.380km long route made up of 16 turns: 6 on the left and 10 on the right)

We're live!

Maximum concentration in the eyes of the reigning world champion..

And in the boss’s cardio report…

Ice Marini in his stage costume...He's ready!

The Eye of the Tiger….Martin “In”!

Heating tower...

It's off and it's Marini who takes the lead ahead of AMarquez and Martin.

Big fall: Bastianini, A.Espargaro and Oliveira.

After 1 lap, the positions are as follows: Marini, AMarquez, Martin, Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia, MMarquez, Binder, Vinales, Zarco and RFernandez

Marini is unable to widen the gap, he only has 0.107s on AMarquez. Martin is 0.213s behind the younger Marquez. Di Giannantonio and Bagnaia complete this provisional top5. Zarco is 8th, Quartararo is 12th

Martin passes AMarquez, he is 2nd, he is 0.100s behind the race leader, Marini.

Martin does not stop there, he passes Marini and takes the lead of the race. Di Giannantonio, AMarquez, and Bagnaia complete this top5

Best lap in the race for Martin who is 0.500s ahead of his pursuer Di Giannantonio. Zarco is in 8th position, Quartararo is 11th.

bagnaia remains in 5th position.

4 more rounds...

Martin is in the lead ahead of Di Giannantonio, Marini, AMarquez, Bagnaia, Vinales, Binder, Zarco, MMarquez and Quartararo.

Image of the start….Assumed virility.. by Jorge Martin!

Checkup for Oliveira at the medical center..

Quartararo passes Zarco to gain 8th position.

Di Giannantonio comes back on Martin, he is 0.183s behind. We attack the last lap...Marini, AMarquez and Bagnaia complete this top5.

Victory for Martin ahead of Di Giannantonio and Marini

        MotoGP Qatar Sprint: standings

Motogp.com ranking credit

All articles on Pilots: Jorge Martin

All articles on Teams: Alma Pramac