Vale claims first victory, Ducati back in the game!

There and back again!

From the moment the decision for all categories  had been made in Valencia, die-hards were already counting until the start of NEXT season.

It all started with #136DaysUntilQatar

Jenny

Emma Oakley

People shared photos and showed their talent by making drawings of our favourite champs. 

For many of us this was a long winter without the sound of roaring engines and no shining masterpieces on the asphalt.

But now the waiting is over. The riders are prepared, the bikes are improved and even more breathtaking than ever known. 

Karolina93

Back to Qatar. Tons of questions. Will Marquez start his season with the first victory or is Lorenzo eager to prove that Qatar is HIS track? Will Rossi be able to attack the Spanish bulls?

And Ducati, a team who had already the needed skills and talent, came back with a new work of art. The Ducati had been improved like it never had before. The fear for the two red Italians, Dovizioso and Iannone, was growing. And rightly so!

Ducati took the pole position with Dovizioso. Pedrosa managed to take 2^nd pace on the grid and Marquez completed the first row.

Lorenzo started from second row and Rossi… well he had to be satisfied with the third row.

Hole shot for Dovi and a hectic start for Marquez. He made a mistake in the first turn and had to chase the group from behind followed by a sequence of spectacular overtakes.

The top speed of the Ducati was incredible. 356km/h. No match for the Yamaha’s of Lorenzo and Rossi.

While Marquez was flying all over the riders, Pedrosa had a fight with himself. He pushed his bike as far as possible and tried to keep his team mate, Marquez, behind him, but he failed. Because of the pain in his arm, Dani was unable to get the best out of it. 

Lorenzo lost control over Rossi and Dovizioso, who looked like two robots on a circuit. Also Iannone was riding one of the best races of his career and pushed the Spaniard to the 4^th place.

Rossi knew he had to get rid of DesmoDovi and his rapid bike. And he did!

Valentino Rossi, The Doctor, claimed the first victory of the season with Dovizioso 2^nd and Iannone 3^rd. It took a while, but finally we had a complete Italian podium. Lorenzo 4^th, Marquez 5^th and Pedrosa 6^th.

 Merel Reyntjens