Maverick Vinales could not have asked for a better start to his MotoGP season after claiming victory in a thrilling race in Qatar Sunday night.
The 22-year-old Spaniard started the race at pole position after best practice times were used to decide the starting grid when bad weather had cancelled all sessions including qualifying on Saturday.
The riders were again frustrated when the start of the race was delayed just minutes before it was due to begin at 22:00 UAE time after some light rain in Doha.
But when the race got under way 45 minutes later, spectators were treated to an action-packed race.
Vinales clocked 38:59.999, with Andrea Dovizioso in second, 0.461 seconds adrift while seven-time champion Valentino Rossi, who started in 10th position, finished third.
Although at the front of the grid at Losail International Circuit, it was far from a perfect start for Vinales as two-time Moto2 champion Johann Zarco of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 took the early lead in the opening lap.
It was a position the Frenchman would hang on to until the sixth lap before skidding off the track into the gravel.
That paved the way for Dovizioso to take the lead but with the slightest of margins between him and his rivals, the lead constantly changed.
While defending champion Marc Marquez was in the mix for a podium finish, Rossi used all his experience to battle past his opponents including the Spaniard.
Vinales, who at one point was as low as fifth, stayed with the leading pack and with two laps to go, the Yahama rider found himself in the lead before eventually claiming his second MotoGP triumph of his career since Silverstone last season.
It sparked celebrations at his teamâs garage and Vinales was thrilled to have come out on top.
âIt feels great and honestly the track was so difficult,â he said. âI was taking a lot care and then when the other people started to push, I said I will also push and gradually improved. It was a great and we always thought it was going to be a tough weekend.â
For Dovizioso, the Ducati man rued the decision not to push Vinales towards the latter stages. âIt was difficult and the track wasnât in the perfect condition,â said the 31-year-old. âThat meant we couldnât drive very fast. I felt I was quite comfortable but I didnât push and before I could do it, the gap was too much. I want to thank the team and the people who came to support me.â
For Jorge Lorenzo, last seasonâs winner, it was a difficult day on his debut for Ducati. The three-time champion finished a disappointing 11th, while Zarco was among five who crashed out.
Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli won the Moto2 race, ahead of last seasonâs winner Tom Luthi, who finished more than two seconds behind, while Takaaki Nakagami was third.
Earlier in the day, Spainâs Joan Mir got off to a winning start in Moto3 after clocking 38:27.364 with Britainâs John McPhee and compatriot Jorge Martin in second and third respectively.