2021 Qatar MotoGP, Losail Circuit - Race Day LIVE!
The season-opening Qatar MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 Grands Prix take place at Losail today.
After 20-minute warm-up sessions for all three classes, starting at 14:40 local time, the Moto3 race will kick off at 17:00 followed by Moto2 at 18:20, with the MotoGP main event starting at 20:00 local time.
CLICK HERE for live updates during the 2021 Qatar MotoGP...
The MotoGP front row will consist of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) with Valentino Rossi the top satellite rider for Petronas Yamaha at the head of row two.
Starting alongside Rossi will be Jack Miller (Ducati) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati), with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) and Alex Rins (Suzuki) forming row three.
Reigning world champion Joan Mir (Suzuki) starts his title defence from tenth place, next to Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda).
Most riders are expected to pick soft tyres for the race, but Rossi and Morbidelli were taking a long look at the hard rear during final practice. Might they take a gamble?
Tyre wear is certainly predicted to be a big issue by the end of the race, with Aleix Espargaro predicting a drop of 3-seconds in the lap times, while the record-breaking top speed of the Ducatis mean they will be a force to be reckoned with on the straights.
MotoGP did not compete in Qatar last season but will make up for lost time with two back-to-back events in 2021, the Doha round being held next weekend.
