The riders and teams will be back on track at Losail to contest the Doha GP this weekend, the second round of the 2021 MotoGP season, determined to cement or improve upon their results from round one a week ago.
The Ducati Lenovo Team is certainly one team that’s ready to get back on track again at the Losail International Circuit (Qatar) after their rider Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia achieved pole position in qualifying and then scored a thrilling podium finish a week ago, snatching third place after an incredible overtake on Suzuki’s MotoGP world champion Joan Mir on the final straight.
Spain’s Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha) won round one, ahead of Pramac Racing Team Ducati rider Johann Zarco.
This brought to 13 the number of podiums taken by Ducati so far at Losail, including five victories: three by Casey Stoner in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and two by Andrea Dovizioso in 2018 and 2019.
After taking a sensational pole position last Saturday and setting a new circuit record (1:52.772), Bagnaia is ready to try again to get his first MotoGP win.
Also, Australian Jack Miller (Ducati), who was battling at the front in the early stages of the Qatar GP but lost some positions in the second part of the race, returns to the Doha circuit, ready to redeem himself after finishing ninth last weekend.
“Last week, I went close to getting my first MotoGP win, but unfortunately, the strategy I adopted in the race turned out to be wrong: I pushed too hard at the start, and that prevented me from maintaining the same pace until the end,” said Bagnaia.
“Still, I managed to get on the podium, and I’m pleased about that because it was a great way to start my new adventure with the Ducati Lenovo Team.
“This week I’ll definitely aim for something more. The track conditions last Sunday were particular because of the wind and the sand on the track surface. Now, we’ll analyse the data to be able to fight for the victory until the last lap of the Doha GP.”
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