MotoGP recap: Round 1 - Qatar

“I think that this battle is one of the best my career,” was what Valentino Rossi said after winning the Qatar Grand Prix. Over the course of the next eight rounds he’s been able to show that he’s back to being the best MotoGP rider in the world. Over the course of the summer break MCN will recap the action from all nine races of what could be one of the most compelling championships in MotoGP history.

In Qatar Rossi came from the third row of the grid to win the race after a thrilling battle with Andrea Dovizioso in the closing laps. The Ducati rider was arguably the faster of the two in those final laps but Rossi when made his move he made sure to keep the door closed on Dovizioso so that he could stay ahead even though the Ducati had been making the rest of the field look like sitting ducks on the home straight.

“Dovi rode in a very clever way, but he was also very strong and he knew today that he could win so was riding at his maximum and was aggressive. This race very good, was one of the very best, so I put this battle at the same level as with Jorge or with Márquez.”

Lorenzo looked like he was capable of taking the win but he faded to fourth after a problem with his helmet saw the inner lining fall into his eyes. Robbed of vision he dropped back and settled for a safe finish.

Marquez finished fifth and with Dani Pedrosa sixth it was clear that Honda was struggling. Pedrosa however was racing injured. The arm pump injury that he had suffered from in the past was back and according to Repsol Honda team boss, Livio Suppo, the Spaniard was ‘riding with one hand.’ After the race Pedrosa explained to the media that he’d be undergoing surgery as soon as possible. Pedrosa would sit out until the French Grand Prix.