FIRST LOOK: Rossi on track for Petronas, Espargaro at Repsol Honda...

Valentino Rossi heads out on track for the first time as a Petronas Yamaha MotoGP rider, while Pol Espargaro and Danilo Petrucci make their debuts for Repsol Honda and KTM Tech 3 and more...
Valentino Rossi , Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
Valentino Rossi , Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
© Gold and Goose Photography

Testing is fully underway for MotoGP teams and riders on day two of the opening test in Qatar. 

One of the main attractions is of course nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, who has already been on track for the first time with his new Petronas M1 Yamaha. 

After making the switch from the factory Monster Energy Yamaha team to the Petronas squad for 2021, (the first time moving teams since 2012), Rossi is preparing for what will be his 20th season in MotoGP. 

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The 42-year-old is one of nine riders to have changed teams for the 2021 MotoGP season. 

Pol Espargaro , Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
Pol Espargaro , Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
© Gold and Goose Photography

Pol Espargaro in action for Repsol Honda at the Losail International Circuit. 

Without Marc Marquez at either of the Qatar tests, Espargaro is the main focus for the Japanese team in Qatar. Espargaro had his best season in 2020 with KTM and will be hoping to carry the form that took him to fifth in the championship over into his first season at Honda. 

Danilo Petrucci, Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
Danilo Petrucci, Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
© Gold and Goose

Danilo Petrucci heading out for his first laps in the all new KTM Tech 3 orange. The Italian was one of the first rider changes to be announced for the 2021 season, as his long-time tenure with Ducati came to an end last year. 

With Miguel Oliveira replacing Espargaro in the factory team, Petrucci will be alongside Iker Lecuona on the new RC16. 

Jack Miller, Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
Jack Miller, Qatar MotoGP test, 6 March 2021
© Gold and Goose

Australia's Jack Miller ahead of factory Ducati Team debut. 

2021 Qatar MotoGP test times - Saturday (5pm)
  RiderNatTeamTimeLap
1N/AStefan BradlGERRepsol Honda (RC213V)1m 56.013s5/12
2^2Brad BinderRSARed Bull KTM (RC16)+0.159s28/30
3=Miguel OliveiraPORRed Bull KTM (RC16)+0.256s21/26
4^3Pol EspargaroSPARepsol Honda (RC213V)+0.288s32/32
5˅3Franco MorbidelliITAPetronas Yamaha (M1)+0.394s14/14
6˅1Johann ZarcoFRAPramac Ducati (GP21)+0.548s14/18
7˅6Aleix EspargaroITAAprilia Gresini (RS-GP)+0.592s5/13
8^3Valentino RossiITAPetronas Yamaha (M1)+0.715s10/11
9N/AJack MillerAUSDucati Team (GP21)+0.806s10/11
10˅2Fabio QuartararoFRAMonster Yamaha (M1)+0.979s21/21
11^1Takaaki NakagamiJPNLCR Honda (RC213V)+1.198s17/17
12˅6Francesco BagnaiaITADucati Team (GP21)+1.226s12/17
13˅4Alex MarquezSPALCR Honda (RC213V)+1.282s14/14
14^6Lorenzo SavadoriITAAprilia Gresini (RS-GP)*+1.599s12/12
15˅1Dani PedrosaSPAKTM Test Rider (RC16)+1.604s14/14
16˅6Iker LecuonaSPAKTM Tech3 (RC16)+1.684s22/24
17N/AJorge MartinSPAPramac Ducati (GP21)*+2.063s4/4
18˅5Danilo PetrucciITAKTM Tech3 (RC16)+2.071s27/30
19^2Enea BastianiniITAAvintia (GP19)*+2.073s16/16
20N/ASylvain GuintoliFRASuzuki Test Rider (GSX-RR)+2.460s12/12
21˅5Luca MariniITASky VR46 Avintia (GP19)*+2.525s18/18
22N/AYamaha Test2N/AYamaha Test Rider (M1)+2.790s3/3
23˅8Michele PirroITADucati Test Rider (GP21)+2.904s16/16
24˅7Yamaha Test1N/AYamaha Test Rider (M1)+3.097s15/15
25˅7Yamaha Test3N/AYamaha Test Rider (M1)+3.280s10/11
26˅7Takuya TsudaJPNSuzuki Test Rider (GSX-RR)+3.680s26/26

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