After the long break, and all the winter testing, the three timed tests, we finally have race weekend upon us. The floodlights at Losail International Circuit will shine upon a star-studded field for the opening race of the 2017 MotoGP season – the Qatar Grand Prix. So who would you pick as your winner? 
Let’s just help you with the statistics. There are ten world champions on the grid. Between them they have won a total of 29 world championship titles – a new record. And then you can look at the lap times from the testing to help you make a decision. Can you? 
The MotoGP grid is so competitive this time around that there are eight riders with a chance to grab the first win of the season. And this is coming from none other than Valentino Rossi himself. During the press conference yesterday the MotoGP legend was asked who he thought had a chance to be on the top step of the Losail podium and he said, “All the riders on this podium. And (Andrea) Dovizioso.” And then when reminded so by Marc Marquez, he added – “And (Dani) Pedrosa of course.” 
And that is not just brotherhood of the riders speaking. The tests have proven that Rossi’s Yamaha team-mate Maverick Vinales has quickly adapted to his new machine. He has been topping the charts consistently. Jorge Lorenzo is still having teething problems on his Ducati but he seemed to get a hang of it during the Qatar test. And he did win the race here in 2016 – on a Yamaha. This time with the straight-line speed of the Ducati, he has a great chance of repeating that show. And which is why his team-mate Dovizioso is also a strong contender. 
The spotlight will still be on Honda’s Marquez. The defending champion has not had the best of testing but you can never rule him out, the fighter that he is. “It has been a long winter. The preseason has been better than last year. I am happier and feel more comfortable on the bike. I am looking forward to starting the 2017 season with a good weekend,” said Marquez yesterday.
“We made some big changes, especially on the engine side. We are working hard to find the best set-up. We know that as the season progresses, we will get better and better. The base level is not bad,” he added.
The Spaniard has not had the best of times on this circuit but he is raring to give it his all. “During pre-season all the manufacturers have improved their level. Now it’s time for the real thing this weekend. I know that this is one of the circuits that I struggle during the season. But it’s time to give our 100 per cent.”
For Lorenzo, the switch from Yamaha to Ducati hasn’t gone as smoothly as the switch for Vinales.  “It’s a little bit more difficult than I thought it would be. It was a shock in Sepang but in the last day there I made a lot of progression. And then the Qatar testing performances makes me feel optimistic about this season,” said the Spaniard who finished last season in third place in the standings. 
“This is a new era for me. I am looking forward to start the season. Step by step we’re getting better. We made a big progress during the Qatar test. Me and the bike are getting more compact and I am confident that we will improve as the season goes ahead,” he added. 
Vinales, the highlight of the tests so far, is eager to transform his pre-season form into actual results during the season. “At the moment it’s just the pre-season. We have a good set-up and I’m feeling competitive. I’m trying to get that form from the pre-season into the season,” said Vinales.
The Spaniard also attributed his successful switch from Suzuki to Yamaha to the fact that he didn’t have to change too much. “The riding style didn’t change so much. It’s a new team and I have to modify my way of working with them. But we have done a good job,” he added.  
His team-mate, a certain Rossi, will be hoping that he can remain in the group that is challenging for the wins. He has not had a great pre-season but nobody would want to rule him out of producing a great run. “As always the level of competition is very high. This year even so more. There are 7-8 riders that will fight for win and for the championship. I will try to stay in that group. It has been a difficult winter season. I was never strong. I am struggling to get the right feel. Now starts another long season and I hope to be strong and competitive,” signed off the legend.
Now to see who Losail the floodlights will crown as the first king this season. In three days’ time we shall know.

Related Story