Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo began his 2016 season at the opening Qatar Grand Prix by securing the first win.
Movistar Yamaha rider Lorenzo, who secured the 2015 title at the last race of the season, took pole position in qualifying and completed a brilliant weekend with a clean and precise ride under the floodlights at the Losail International Circuit.
However, Lorenzo’s race day start was not exactly the greatest of starts as he fell back to third at the end of the first lap while Ducati pair Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso rushed ahead. But Iannone lost control of his Ducati at turn 13 on lap six and fell out of the race, with Lorenzo gradually closing the gap on Dovizioso as he looked to recover his position at the front.
“This race has been one of the best of my whole career and that was why I was able to win and could make this little difference in the last three laps that gave me the victory,” said Lorenzo. “I spent much of the race behind Dovizioso because I couldn’t pass him, and it was difficult to make up the ground lost with his better acceleration on the straight. Whenever I got close, I’d lose him again.” He added.
Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi came in fourth on the Movistar Yamaha with whom he had signed a new two-year deal on Saturday. “I hope for some more fight in the race, because maybe it was better last year, with more overtaking. This year was more one behind the other. But anyway, it's not so bad. It's better to arrive fourth, two-seconds from first, than arrive second or third and be ten seconds behind.” Said Rossi
