MotoGP Qatar: Emotional maiden victory for Bastianini and Gresini

Enea Bastianini bettered his second position grid start with victory in the Qatar Grand Prix as Gresini Racing celebrated an emotional MotoGP debut.

The Italian tears were flowing freely in Parc Fermé as Fausto Gresini was remembered in the most poignant way possible after a stunning ride from the 24-year-old and the first victory for a female-led team in the premier class. Red Bull KTM’s Brad Binder and Repsol Honda’s Pol Espargaro joining the podium party in second and third after a thrilling 22-lap season opener.

HRC’s Marc Marquez lined up for the first race of his tenth MotoGP season from the front row alongside Jorge Martin on pole and Bastianini’s sensational second, the Gresini rider having already topped morning warm up on Sunday and showing phenomenal form. Repsol Honda’s radical revolution continued to prove its mettle in qualifying as Espargaro joined his teammate for fourth with elder brother Aleix and Ducati’s Jack Miller completing row two.

Tyre choice proved a complicated decision with the grid divided between the soft and medium rear with only the four KTM riders and LCR’s Takaaki Nakagami opting for Michelin’s medium front.

The longest race season in MotoGP history fired up with the most competitive grid to date as Marquez stole the holeshot. Espargaro ensured it was a Repsol lockout out front with Binder storming through to third, from seventh, at the opening corner.

Bastianini sat in fourth from the leading Aprilia as the race unfolded and the factory Ducatis went uncharacteristically backwards. Jack Miller sat ninth, behind poleman Martin and Monster Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo with Pecco Bagnaia running 14th while Suzuki enjoyed opposing fortunes. Joan Mir launching up to fourth, from eighth, by lap