Ahead of this weekend’s MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar, Lusail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) organised an ceremony in co-operation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy as 2021 MotoGP Champion Fabio Quartararo, runner up Francesco Bagnaia and 2020 champion Joan Mir headed to Lusail Stadium with a very special guest: former Brazil football captain Cafu.
The four saddled up at Lusail International Circuit and then rode on street bikes – with each rider representing for their factory and Cafu on a BMW M 1000 RR – to the stadium in a unique parade, riding right to the edge of the turf that will host the final of the 2022 World Cup. After a quick photo opportunity there, it was time to hit the changing room and get ready to head out onto the pitch. At the Lusail stadium, they were joined by three former Qatari footballers – Mubarak Mustafa, Khaled Salman and Ahmed Khalil.
The three riders had a personalised national kit waiting for them, with Quartararo representing France, Bagnaia Italy and Mir Spain. Once suited and booted, they headed back onto the pitch with ambassadors of the Super Committee of Qatar: Cafu, Mubarak Mustafa and Khalid Salman, making them the first players to step on the grass ahead of its official inauguration later in March.
“We are also honoured to have joined the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in organising an Activation Ceremony to promote Qatar as a global destination for major international sports and cultural events. The ceremony has brought together MotoGP’s 2021 top three riders along with three Qatar Legacy Ambassadors to participate in a sports show, featuring a combination of a friendly motorcycle race and a friendly football match at Lusail Stadium,” said QMMF and LCSC president Abdulrahman al-Mannai
He also mentioned that the event’s programme was organised in a way that would keep all attendees engaged by including a day of free access to children under the age of 12, music concerts, and moto-racing exhibitions dedicated to both those who are veteran fans of the sport and those who are experiencing it for the first time. He also drew attention to the high levels of hospitality that fans should expect to enjoy during the event in the VIP and VVIP areas describing the overall service and atmosphere as a 5-star rated experience.
Meanwhile, Yamaha’s Quartararo was thrilled to have kicked the ball at the Lusail Stadium. “This is the first time I’ve played at a professional stadium, it’s really nice and we had fun with Pecco and Joan, it’s a good way to start the GP. I feel I’m in good shape to fight for really good results, but we’ll see with our bike, we didn’t make a big step but I feel like in riding I’m really strong. To be honest we lost a bit on one-lap pace, I lost it a bit in pre-season, but on race pace I’ve been incredible. We can always improve but I felt super strong so let’s hope to have the same pace in this GP,” the Frenchman said. Ducati’s Bagnaia said: “I enjoyed today, maybe it would be nice to always have pre-events like this! I’d like to see Italy in the final in this stadium, it would be great,”
Suzuki’s Mir added: “I enjoyed this a lot. This place is amazing, before the World Cup it’s something special. Football is something I like to practice, although I don’t practice a lot, I enjoy it. I hope to be back when the World Cup’s here.”
QMMF and Lusail Circuit Sports Club president Abdulrahman al-Mannai with MotoGP riders Fabio Quartararo, Francesco Bagnaia, Joan Mir, former Brazil football captain Cafu, former Qatari footballers Mubarak Mustafa, Khaled Salman and Ahmed Khalil at the Lusail Stadium yesterday.
