RACING: Dovi wins desert duel

Andrea Dovizioso drew first blood in a prospective MotoGP title battle with Marc Marquez by triumphing at the season-opening Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday, March 18.

Under the lights at the Losail desert circuit, Ducati rider Dovizioso pushed Marquez (Repsol Honda) to the final race in Valencia in a thrilling challenge last season, but the defending champion was made to settle for second as a last-turn move up the inside failed to stick.

FULL RESULTS HERE

However, Dovizioso said he was surprised to be fighting the reigning world champion for the race win in Qatar, a track which traditionally favours the Yamaha and Ducati machinery.

“I didn’t expect him to be there in the last few laps, so that is the bad thing of the victory for today,” Dovi said. “Marc did something unreal to stay with me with but I am happy because I was able to manage the last corner in the perfect way.

“He closed the door more than in the past, and I had to pass on the kerb on the inside because there wasn’t enough space, but I was able to turn the bike very quickly and use the Ducati power on the straight.”

Valentino Rossi, who this week signed a new two-year Movistar Yamaha contract, charged up from eighth to earn the final step on the podium crossing the line less than 0.8 seconds behind Dovi, as Johann Zarco (Monster Yamahas Tech 3), who qualified on pole with a record lap and lead for most of the opening 18 laps, lost front-end feeling and dropped back to finish eighth and over seven seconds adrift.

Aussie Jack Miller blamed an off front tyre for not finishing better than his eventual 10th place, but took positives from what was his debut with the Alma Pramac Ducati squad.

“Once I was in the front group, I felt really comfortable, never over the limit,” he said. “I felt I could stay there. But after two or three laps the front tyre went. There was something wrong with it.

“If I had the race again, I wouldn’t do anything different. Maybe the next tyre would be great.”

Although Ducati was celebrating Dovizioso getting off to a winning start, factory rider Jorge Lorenzo – a three-time MotoGP winner in Qatar – crashed out with 10 laps remaining as his frustrations following his move from Movistar Yamaha look set to continue.

Marquez led the opening lap after Zarco ran wide on the final turn, but the Frenchman regained first place at the next corner by getting in the Repsol Honda rider’s slipstream.

In a serene start to the race, Rossi was the only man making major moves, but he lost ground to Marquez and Dovizioso after attempting to go down the inside of Zarco at turn one.

With Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha) closing in on the leading group, Dovizioso made his move with five laps remaining.

Marquez looked to slide through on the inside of the final turn but Dovizioso accelerated out of the shallower line to take the chequered flag and strike the first blow.

Australian Moto2 rider Remy Gardner (Tech 3 Racing) overcame a six-rider battle to finish the season opener in 12th overall, a result he believes could have been better if it wasn’t for a small lapse in concentration early on in the 20-lap race.

“I made a great start and first lap, but at the end of the straight in the slipstream I braked like when I was alone, a mistake, and I lost a lot of places. But I’m happy with how I came back. We’ve made a lot of progress this year. I can’t wait for the next race.”

Next year’s MotoGP recruit Pecco Bagnaia (Sky Racing VR46) scored his maiden Moto2 victory in Qatar, while Jorge Martin (Gresini Honda) kick-started his 2018 campaign with a victory in the Moto3 class.