Moto GP World Championship kicks off in Qatar
The 2021 MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 season kicks off on Sunday 28 March.
The first two races will be held at the Losail circuit in Qatar, from there they will move to Europe: Portugal (Algarve), Jerez (Spain), France (Le Mans), Italy (Mugello), Spain again (Montmelo), Germany (Sachsenring), Netherlands (Assen), Finland (Kymiring), Austria (Red Bull Ring), Great Britain (Silvertone), Spain again at Aragon, Motorland, San Marino (Misano). Jump to Asia: Japan (Motegi, Thailand (Chang); then Australia (Phillip Island), Malaysia (Sepang) and finish again in Spain at Valencia (Ricardo Tormo).
In Moto GP Joan Mir defends his title. The big unknown is how Marc Márquez is feeling. Many months of inactivity and we do not know if he will reach the level that led him to glory. Another year more Valentino giving war.
In Moto2 Lowes is the favourite as last year's champion Bastianini moves to MotoGP. Many new riders in the intermediate category. The results of these young talents are unknown.
Moto3, as always the test bed. The top five riders from last season have moved up to Moto2. The next five have another chance, but beware of the new additions. They come with a lot of energy and some with experience like Artigas who made his debut in MotoGP in 2019.
There is maximum equality this year. A lot of unknowns. Very open season in Moto GP.
The teams
They have the current world champion bike with Joan Mir as their rider. The GSX-RR. A very well-balanced bike that goes well on all circuits, although it is not the fastest. Alongside the Mallorcan Joan Mir will be the Catalan Alex Rin. They form a good team and complement each other very well. They won the title last year after 20 years without it. It is true that Marquez was not there. This year they should confirm last year's success and they will be fighting for the victory in every race.
Will Márquez be fit? That's the doubt that will condition the season that is starting. For the moment, he will miss the first race. Alberto Puig chose Pol Espargaró as second rider and he is going for the title. This year must be the year of his confirmation. The Honda is having problems and several crashes. A difficult bike to ride, very fast.
Great preseason and commitment to young riders. They dispense with Dovicioso and have the Australian Jack Miller and the Turin-born Bagnaia, 26 and 24 years old respectively. Their aim is to win some Grand Prix and to be on the podium in almost every race.
It could be Valentino's last year. 42 years old, six MotoGP championships. Changes teams, but will have top level material. Morbideli won three races last year, was the surprise runner-up. Experience and good bike, much is expected from them.
Owner, rider Fausto Gresini, died of coronavirus in February. Great pre-season tests, but still a step behind the other teams. They continue to grow. Aleix can be the surprise this year and be rewarded for his hard work on the bike. Savadori is the big unknown, it will be his first full season in this category.
This year without Valentino, they have opted for Viñales who can't let any more opportunities pass him by. He has won several Grand Prix, but it is time to fight for the championship. Quartararo, very fast in qualifying, must be his year of confirmation. They need consistency. They have a bike that is easy to ride but lacks speed at times.
The Austrian firm has not had good results in preseason, although last year they won three Grand Prix. They were rewarded for their good work since 2017. They have two very talented riders who last year were a surprise. The South African Binder won the first ever race for KTM in Brno and the Portuguese won Portimao and Austria.
Ducati's youth team. This year they change Miller and Quartararo and mix experience with the Frenchman Zarco (30 years old) and Jorge Martin (23 years old). Zarco leaves the first team and has his last chance in the second brand, although with official material. Jorge must learn and be patient.
Last year with Zarco they gave a lot of joy and Ducati trusts in them. Valentino's brother and the Moto2 champion. Bastianini can be a Ducati rider if he takes his chance. Last year he made merits to be here and now he must confirm it. Luca must prove that he is not here for his brother.
Second Honda team with good results and experience. Riders with good results in previous years who must confirm their presence in MotoGP. Alex comes from the factory team and must take a step forward. The Japanese rider had good races and should win a race this year if his progression does not stagnate.
