Duel in the Desert

The 2025 MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix may have seen a familiar face on top, but it was quite an all-out duel for victory that has become commonplace at the Lusail International Circuit

- Gaurav Davare

THE LUSAIL International Circuit and MotoGP are a match made in heaven as it has been a venue for many all-time classic races that would be difficult to count one’s fingers. Given such a history, it wouldn't be unrealistic to expect an action-packed 2025 MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix, but it got under way with another familiar sight. Six-time premier class champion, Márc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), and his brother, Alex (Gresini Racing), qualified first and second again, but it was the 2021 champion, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha), who pulled off a surprise third-place starting position. The two-time premier class champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), on the other hand, had a qualifying to forget in 11th.

Sprint

AS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR most of the season thus far, it was a one-two finish by the Márquez brothers with Marc coming out on top, although Alex did get a sniff of the lead on the opening lap. The real tussle was for third place as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) just about held off Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing) at the chequered flag for the final spot on the podium.

Race

THE SPRINT MAY HAVE BEEN largely uneventful, but the main Grand Prix was the complete opposite. An absolutely frantic start saw the two Márquez brothers make contact, enabling Morbidelli to grab an early lead and he was nearly a second ahead on the opening lap. The chaos did not end as Bagnaia had a great start and was up to sixth, a serious contender for the podium if not a win.