Moto2 GP Qatar: report card and results from the opening round

Moto2 GP Qatar: report card and results from the opening round

Sam Lowes dominates to secure the win, Gardner confirms his growth and "Diggia" moves everyone to tears. Here is the first report card of the year for the middle class

30 marzo 2021

The 2021 Moto2 season has begun and so far it’s all about Sam Lowes, who scored the win from pole aboard the team Marc VDS Kalex. Behind him, Remy Gardner confirms that he’s mature and, with a top team like Red Bull KTM Ajo, can fight at the front, as can Fabio Di Giannantonio, who celebrated a tearful podium after his first race with the team Gresini Kalex.

As for Marco Bezzecchi? Good, but perhaps not good enough. Meanwhile Spanish rookie Raul Fernandez made a strong start, fifth in his first race, as did Beaubier and Vietti. Disappointment for Manzi, and also Baldassarri and the MV Agusta.

Qatar report card


Sam Lowes: 10

A first-rate weekend for the Brit. In the top five right from Friday, he then set pole before dominating in the race. A crash in warm-up did nothing to deter him, Sam clearly one of the hot favourites for this year’s title. Simply perfect.

Remy Gardner: 9

The Australian has started from where he left off in 2020, with a strong performance that finally confirms his maturity. One of few to lap with times similar to Lowes, his only mistake came in qualifying, where he failed to secure a front row start.

Fabio Di Giannantonio: 9

An incredible last lap saw Diggia beat Bezzecchi to the line and score a very emotional podium, in memory of Fausto of course. A pity about his tough qualifying session, but an excellent debut for the Italian aboard the Kalex

Raul Fernandez: 9

Having played a starring role all weekend, the Spaniard has immediately proved that he deserves his place in Moto2. Second in qualifying and fifth in his debut race. Clearly the ‘chaos’ of Moto3 was not for him.

Marco Bezzecchi: 7

On paper, he looked to be the only rider able to keep pace with Lowes, but a drop in performance a few laps in saw him fighting for the third step of the podium, a battle he lost in the final stages. Good job anyway, but after the 2020 season finale, we expect a lot from “Bez”.

Cameron Beaubier and Celestino Vietti: 7

Two more rookies that stood out during their debut appearance in Moto2. Despite difficult qualifying sessions, both the five-time MotoAmerica champion and the Sky Racing Team rider went on to make great recoveries, closing just outside the top ten. Not bad, for their first time.

Stefano Manzi and Lorenzo Baldassarri: 4

The disappointments of the weekend. Stefano’s move to the Sito Pons’ Kalex doesn't appear to have helped him, the rider closing 25 seconds from the front and outside the points zone. A disaster for Baldassarri, who struggled throughout his first weekend with MV Agusta, finishing with a crash. An uphill start for two great riders.

Translated by Heather Watson

MotoGP, Viñales appears calmer without Rossi in the Yamaha garage

  • Link copiato

Commenti

Leggi motosprint su tutti i tuoi dispositivi