The #93 Falls, Bagnaia Rises, and a Glorious Return Beckons

Destination Doha: Championship Stakes Rise Under the Lights at Lusail

As MotoGP™ heads into Round 4 of the 2025 season, the paddock arrives at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar under the glow of floodlights and the weight of anticipation. After a sensational Americas Grand Prix that delivered upsets, breakthroughs, and high drama, the desert night race now stands poised as a pivotal chapter in what is already a thrilling season.

The big question looms large: will Lusail deliver a third different winner in four rounds? Or perhaps, as has happened before, will it be the site of a first-time premier class victor? And above all, will we finally see the reigning World Champion Jorge Martin return to action? While it’s officially Round 4, it feels like the real heart of the 2025 MotoGP™ season begins now—right here in Doha.

Will Lusail Be the Breakthrough for Alex Marquez?

Championship leader Alex Marquez arrives in Qatar riding a wave of consistency, though not yet the glory of a Grand Prix victory. The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP rider has racked up six second-place finishes this season—split evenly across Sprints and main races—but still seeks that elusive first win in the top class.

He holds a slender one-point lead over his brother, Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team, whose fortunes took a sharp turn after a crash at COTA ended his lead in the standings. Interestingly, Marc hasn’t tasted premier class victory at Lusail since 2014, a detail that adds more intrigue as his younger brother eyes the top step at a venue not traditionally kind to the elder Marquez.

The Qatari circuit has played host to several riders’ maiden MotoGP™ wins in recent years, including Casey Stoner, Enea Bastianini, and Fabio Di Giannantonio. Could Alex Marquez be next to join that list under the lights?

Bagnaia Breaks Through: Pecco Claims His First Win of the Season

Francesco Bagnaia, the 2024 Qatar GP winner and reigning runner-up in the championship, finally opened his 2025 account with a commanding victory in Texas. The Ducati star may have left the season opener under pressure, but in typical fashion, he’s bounced back at the perfect time.

As MotoGP™ returns to Lusail, the venue where Bagnaia previously showcased mastery, the timing couldn’t be better. He’ll be keen to remind the field how he amassed 11 Grand Prix wins last season, even though that haul wasn’t enough to secure the title. With Marc Marquez faltering in Texas, Bagnaia was right there to capitalize—a sign of championship acumen that goes beyond pure speed.

Now, with momentum on his side and familiar territory ahead, Pecco will be aiming to consolidate his resurgence as the title fight heats up.

All Eyes on the #1 Plate: Jorge Martin’s Potential Return

Perhaps the most anticipated storyline of the Qatar weekend is the possible return of Jorge Martin. The reigning World Champion and Aprilia Racing rider has missed the opening rounds due to injuries sustained in a difficult pre-season. But now, signs point to his comeback—pending a medical clearance on Thursday.

If Martin does return, the Lusail circuit is a fitting stage. Twice on pole here and twice a podium finisher, Martin’s explosive one-lap pace and racecraft could immediately inject even more chaos into the title picture. If cleared, expect nothing less than fireworks from the man carrying the #1.

In-Form Riders and Lusail History in Play

Fabio Di Giannantonio, representing Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, brought the house down in Qatar last year with his first-ever MotoGP™ win, and after an impressive podium in Texas, he’s rediscovering form at just the right moment. He currently holds fifth in the standings, just behind his teammate Franco Morbidelli, who surprisingly has never cracked the top ten in Lusail’s premier class races.

Rookies and rising stars have traditionally performed well at Lusail, and Ai Ogura is keeping that trend alive. The Trackhouse MotoGP Team rider has made a smooth transition into the premier class and currently sits sixth overall, with strong race pace and growing confidence. Having raced at Lusail since his Asia Talent Cup days, the Japanese talent knows the circuit intimately and will look to capitalize.

Comebacks and Climbbacks: Midfield Movers Looking to Break Through

Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) fought through the pack to claim a hard-earned P6 in Texas. After a turbulent few rounds, he’s looking for a cleaner run in Doha. He’ll be targeting Johann Zarco in the standings, with the CASTROL Honda LCR veteran returning to the track where he made a stunning debut in 2017—leading laps and announcing himself to the premier class.

Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) joins Zarco in the top nine overall, thanks in part to his podium finish at Lusail two years ago. Rounding out the current top ten is Jack Miller on the Prima Pramac Yamaha, whose eighth-place finish at Lusail in 2017 remains his best here—until now. Coming off a solid P5 at COTA, Miller looks to build on his best 2025 performance yet.

Scrapping for the Top Ten: KTM and Yamaha Join the Fray

Brad Binder, a podium finisher in two of the last three Qatar GPs, has yet to step on the box in 2025. But the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider is always a threat under the lights and leads a tight group of KTM contenders including Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Pedro Acosta, Binder’s electric young teammate. Each of them knows what Lusail can deliver, and all three need strong results to solidify top ten status in the standings.

Just behind them, a resurgent group of riders—including Fabio Quartararo, Joan Mir, and Alex Rins—are climbing the ranks. With just nine points separating Binder and Rins in the overall tally, the fight for a top ten spot is one of the fiercest battles heading into this weekend.

Redemption Time: Riders Seeking a Turnaround in Qatar

Maverick Viñales, once a winner at Lusail on his Yamaha debut back in 2017, is looking to rebound after a chaotic COTA. Despite grid mishaps and a late scramble during the restart, he still managed to salvage points and now arrives in Qatar eager to showcase the progress being made at Red Bull KTM Tech3.

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) was knocking on the door of the top ten in Texas and will aim to crack it in Doha. Fermin Aldeguer, teammate to Alex Marquez at BK8 Gresini Racing, looked set for a breakthrough result before crashing late in the race at COTA. He’ll be itching to convert his potential into points this weekend.

Miguel Oliveira remains sidelined, so Augusto Fernandez continues to sub in at Prima Pramac Yamaha. Meanwhile, Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda LCR) continues to log valuable experience as the Thai rider works his way up the learning curve in the top class.

A Desert Duel Awaits: Qatar Ready to Deliver More MotoGP™ Drama

Lusail under the lights has been the setting for five different winners in the last five years—a sign of how unpredictable and fiercely competitive this race tends to be. With all four of those previous winners on the grid this weekend, there’s every chance we see history repeat itself… or another surprise twist.

This is the last stop before the European leg of the season, and it feels like a turning point is coming. Will a new winner emerge? Can Alex Marquez finally claim that long-awaited victory? Will Jorge Martin ride? Or will Bagnaia pick up where he left off in Texas?

Whatever happens, Qatar is set to be electric.

What’s Happening in Doha This Week?

Plenty. The weekend kicks off with the official pre-event press conference at 16:00 on Thursday, featuring championship leader Alex Marquez, Marc Marquez, and COTA winner Pecco Bagnaia. Should Jorge Martin be cleared to ride, he’ll also join the panel, setting the tone for a blockbuster weekend.

In addition to the premier class action, the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup returns to the calendar for their second round of the season. After a strong opener in Buriram, the region’s future stars are ready to shine on the international stage once again.

Don’t miss a second of the action. The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar is about to light up the night.

Moto2: Dixon Aims for Third Straight Victory in Doha

Dixon Rolls into Doha: Hat-Trick on the Horizon?

Few race weekends go as perfectly as Jake Dixon’s trip to Austin. The ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider delivered a masterclass at the Grand Prix of The Americas: from clinching pole position to dominating in treacherous conditions, Dixon didn’t put a foot wrong. His commanding ride brought home a second straight 25-point haul—and more importantly, the Moto2™ Championship lead. Now, with the Qatar round just ahead, the big question is: can Dixon make it three from three?

Lusail: A Circuit of Contrasts for Dixon

If there’s a place that offers both redemption and challenge for the Brit, it’s the Lusail International Circuit. While the Boscoscuro chassis has proven a strong performer at the Qatari venue—both Alonso Lopez (Team HDR Heidrun) and Fermin Aldeguer took victories there on it in the past two seasons—Dixon’s own memories of Lusail are far less fond. A massive highside crash in 2024 ruled him out of the season’s first two rounds, and he’s yet to stand on the Qatar podium. But if his current form is anything to go by, that stat could change in a big way this weekend.

Championship Shuffle: Can Gonzalez Bounce Back?

Just a round ago, Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was riding high as the Moto2™ points leader. But a gamble on slicks in the unpredictable conditions at COTA didn’t pan out, leaving the Spaniard to regroup after slipping to third in the standings. Still, only Dixon and Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) sit ahead of him now—and with Lusail offering a more stable forecast, Gonzalez will be eager to strike back with a vengeance.

Meanwhile, Alonso Lopez moved himself up to fourth overall thanks to a well-earned first podium of the season in Austin. Tony Arbolino also made headlines with his first top-three finish aboard the BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 machine, pushing him to fifth in the standings as the paddock heads to Qatar.

Podium Prospects: Returning Faces and Qatar Specialists

Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) will surely have Qatar circled on his calendar. The Belgian secured a podium at Lusail last year, and after a solid showing so far in 2025, he’ll be pushing hard to return to that level. Another potential challenger is Celestino Vietti (Team HDR Heidrun), a former Doha winner back in 2022. His weekend in Austin ended with a double crash—frustrating, yes, but expect the Italian to come back swinging on familiar ground.

One wildcard could be Sergio Garcia (QJMOTOR – Frinsa – MSI), who’s working toward a return after injury. The 2024 Qatar podium finisher would make quite the statement if he manages to jump right back into the mix this weekend. Though his participation still hangs in the balance, any appearance from Garcia would certainly be one to watch.

With Dixon firing on all cylinders, the Boscoscuro bikes showing form at Lusail, and a handful of hungry contenders waiting in the wings, Round 4 of the Moto2™ season is shaping up to be another thriller under the lights.

Moto3™ Leader Rueda Aims to Extend Form Under the Lights

Rueda on Fire as Moto3™ Heads to Qatar

Three rounds into the 2025 Moto3™ World Championship, and one rider has firmly stamped his authority on the field—Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). With two victories and a podium from the opening three races, the young Spaniard arrives in Doha riding a serious wave of momentum. His most recent win in Texas wasn’t just convincing—it was commanding, backing up his clinical triumph in Thailand and cementing his place at the top of the standings.

A Dominant Start to the Season

Rueda’s form has been nothing short of sensational. Across his two wins this season, he’s accumulated a combined winning margin of 9.5 seconds—a figure rarely seen in the tightly packed world of Moto3™. That pace has propelled him to a 24-point lead in the Championship, with Ángel Piqueras (Frinsa – MT Helmets – MSI) currently his closest challenger after a P4 finish in the United States.

However, while Rueda’s speed is undeniable, the Lusail International Circuit hasn’t been kind to him in the past. In both of his previous visits to Qatar, he failed to score points. Adding to the intrigue, no current rider on the Moto3™ grid has ever won at Lusail, making this a potential opportunity for the rest of the field to strike back.

Furusato and Piqueras Looking to Reignite

One of the few riders with a strong Qatar memory is Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who stood on the podium here last season. After a ninth-place finish in Austin, the Japanese rider would love nothing more than to return to the rostrum and reboot his season.

Both Piqueras and Adrián Fernández (Leopard Racing) will be especially motivated heading into Round 4. After their strong performances in Argentina, neither managed a podium in the U.S., and they’ll be eager to bounce back under the Lusail floodlights.

Kelso Carries Momentum, But Bertelle Sidelined

Meanwhile, Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA Team) arrives in Qatar with a much-needed boost of confidence following a career-best finish at the Americas GP. The Australian rider will be looking to build on that breakthrough and establish some consistency as the season progresses.

However, it’s mixed fortunes for the MTA squad. Kelso’s teammate, Matteo Bertelle, who scored his maiden Moto3™ podium last time out, will miss the Qatar Grand Prix after suffering a serious training injury. The Italian sustained a fractured right tibia and a fractured left humerus, and will now face a spell on the sidelines. It’s a tough blow for Bertelle, who currently sits fourth in the Championship standings.

Rookies Rising: Carpe and Quiles in the Spotlight

Bertelle’s absence opens up more room for other young talents to shine—among them is Álvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), another standout rookie who has quietly climbed to fifth in the title race. He’s shown maturity beyond his years and could be a dark horse for a top result in Qatar.

All eyes will also be on Máximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). Making his debut at COTA, the Spanish teenager stunned the paddock with a superb fifth-place finish—an incredibly strong start that has marked him as one to watch moving forward.

Qatar Under the Lights: Who Will Rise?

With no proven Lusail winners in the current field and plenty of riders either chasing redemption or building momentum, the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix promises to be another unpredictable and high-stakes chapter in the Moto3™ season. Can Rueda continue his charge and conquer a track that’s eluded him before? Or will the desert night bring a new name into the winner’s circle?

Tune in as the Moto3™ stars light up the Qatari night sky in search of glory.

Official MotoGP Press Release