Winner Jonas Folger of Germany (C) celebrates on the podium with runner-up Belgian Xavier Simeon and third-placed Swiss Thomas Luthi after the Moto2 race. Picture: Noushad Thekkayil

By Sahan Bidappa/Losail
 
Jonas Folger is one lucky man. Not many would have tipped the German to win the Moto2 race in Doha, but he created a flutter yesterday when he crossed the finish line first at the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit here.
Fortune played a big role in Folger’s maiden victory as the AGR Team rider admitted later. First, pole winner Sam Lowes of Speed Up Racing crashed mid-race and in the ending stages, second-placed qualifier Ajo Motosport’s Johann Zarco, who was leading the race, suffered gear problems which curtailed his speed significantly.
However, credit to Folger, who made the most of his fortune and grabbed it with both hands. “I can’t believe I just won the race. I’m so happy, I don’t know what happened to Johann. I could keep my rhythm and win this brilliant race,” the delighted 21-year-old said.
After Lowes retired, Zarco was a runaway leader and was seemingly cruising along for an easy victory before misfortune struck in the closing stages of 20-lap race. Folger eventually took the chequered flag, five seconds clear of his rival Xavier Simeon of Federal Oil Gresini after pulling away on his own.
Belgium’s Simeon equalled his best ever result in second position, while Tom Luthi (Deendinger Racing Interwetten) took third spot, completing an all-Kalex podium for the manufacturer.
Home team OMMF Racing Team had a mixed day, with debutant Julian Simon finishing 13th to take three points. But Anthony West had a night to forget after he crashed out in the 11th lap.
Rookie and current Moto3 champion Alex Marquez, brother of reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, came home 11th in his debut Moto2 race.
Earlier in the night’s opening race, the Moto3, Alexis Masbou of Saxoprint RPG Honda won only the second Grand Prix of his career. The Frenchman has not had much success despite his experience and at 27 was the second oldest in the 26-rider field.
However yesterday, Masbou was well-placed to win in Doha, after he had qualified on pole for the first time in his 141st Grand Prix appearance. It wasn’t a smooth ride though for Masbou in a race, where leads changed many times.
In the end, it boiled down to final corner and Masbou just about edged out Ena Bastianini of Gresini Racing by mere 0.027 seconds to ghost through the pack for a famous win. Leopard Racing Honda’s Danny Kent, one of the contenders for overall title, finished third.
“I was afraid on the last lap. I knew the potential to win was here and in Turn 3 and 4 I was fast. I knew I could pass everybody. When I saw I was behind Efren (Vazquez) and Bastianini I knew I could win the race. I passed on the straight and I’m happy,” said Masbou, who gained 25 points for the victory.
Bastianini, too, was a happy man. The Italian was riding in a new bike and started 21st from the grid. “I’m happy because this week was very difficult. Today was difficult too, the final corner was hard. I did not go fast but still a win was possible. But after this result, I am confident I can do well this season,” Bastianini said.
Highly-rated Estrella Galicia 0,0 rider Fabio Quartararo, the youngest in the grid at 15 years and 343 days, finished a creditable seventh in his Grand Prix debut. The Frenchman, who is tipped for great things and had impressed with his pace in the pre-season testing, was in contention for a podium finish at least. But with 2 laps to go he made a mid-lap mistake, which cost him a dream debut. Quartararo, however, was just within a second of the winner and is one to watch out for this season.

Results (Top 5):
Moto2
1. Jonas Fogler (Germany / AGR Team Kalex) 40:18.532 seconds
2. Xavier Simeon (Belgium / Federal Oil Gresini Kalex) 40:23.583
3. Thomas Luthi (Switzerland / Derendinger Racing Interwetten Kalex) 40:30.655
4. Alex Rins (Spain / Paginas Amarillas HP 40 Kalex) 40:30.734
5. Franco Morbidelli (Italy / Italtrans Racing Team Kalex)  40:32.917
Moto3
1. Alexis Masbou (France / Saxoprint RPG Honda) 38:25.424 seconds  
2. Enea Bastianini (Italy / Gresini Racing Team Honda) 38:25.451
3. Danny Kent (Great Britain / Leopard Racing Honda) 38:25.566
4. Efren Vazquez (Spain / Leopard Racing Honda) 38:25.712
5. John McPhee (Great Britain / Saxoprint RPG Honda) 38:26.117