Sport MONDAY 5 APRIL 2021 BartyBa hits out at number one ranking critics I never have to prove anything to anyone. I know there has bbeen a lot of talk about the ranking, but I didn’t play at all last yyeare and I didn’t improve any of my points whatsoever. Yes, I ddidn’t drop but I didn’t improve any. I didn’t play any at all. Ashleigh Barty Sport |09 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS: Southampton 3-2 Burnley, Newcastle United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham Dorna chief Ezpeleta pleased with We are very happy that the races went well. The MotoGP family will never forget that we could start MotoGP testing and races in Qatar the season here with two races. In general, it is not RIZWAN REHMAT testing for teams of all three classes in protocols that have been working very success. The soccer fans will enjoy it,” an issue to race here. We THE PENINSULA March. well. These protocols will also help in he added in reference to the 2022 FIFA Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta yes- the future. World Cup set to be held here next year. have been working At a time when the world of sports is terday was a relieved man. “We have accepted the possibility of In reply to a question, Ezpeleta said together since 2004. We reeling from delays and disruption of “We are very happy that the races doing races with less people. Now we Qatar’s young riding talent impresses started the first night race. events because of the COVID-19 situ- went well in Qatar,” Ezpeleta said. have experience of protocols we put to him. They have improved the ation around the globe, Qatar has “The MotoGP family will never forget use during 14 races last year. We go from “The Qatar Motor Academy (QMA) is stepped in to provide a much-needed that we could start the season here with hotel to circuit and come back. There is one of Qatar’s priorities. We think this lighting also. Better than relief to the MotoGP family. two races. In general, it is not an issue no complaint. Everybody knows we are year, for the first time, three Qatari riders ever. Everything is very Qatar’s iconic Losial International to race here. We have been working going to hold races and everyone knows participated in the Asian Talent Cup and nice: Carmelo Ezpeleta Circuit yesterday concluded the second together since 2004. We started the first we are here in Qatar to do that with pro- if I may say so they are doing very well round of the MotoGP World Champi- night race. They have improved the tocols,” Ezpeleta said. because this is the first time for them onship, just weeks after lighting also. Better than ever. Every- “We hope to continue with protocols. competing against Japanese or Malaysian the same venue thing is very nice,” he added. And that this will continue for all the riders who are people with more expe- hosted riders and “We had been talking with the Qatari races (this season). We are hoping this rience,” Ezpeleta said. backroom staff authorities - QMMF and the Sports Min- year will be less complicated. Thanks to “We think this is one of the things we for pre-season istry. As soon as we realised it was also the Qatar authorities, the two races were need to focus more on in the future. I am not possible to travel to the United States fantastic. We are proud of the people in sure one day Qatar can have good riders and Argentina (for MotoGP rounds), we the paddocks who make it a success. competing in the elite class. We are decided to contact QMMF President Mr “We hope to do all (2021 calendar) talking with them. Whatever is necessary Abdulrahman Al Mannai and he pro- races in principle. If the situation is not we tell them and we see what they are posed we conduct everything here - the good, we may do it without fans. We will doing. testing and the two races,” he said. see about races at the end of the year - “You have something here, which “We saw the situation around Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand is incredible - the Aspire Academy. the world and we decided to con- - we are optimistic about those races - Having the Aspire Academy for kids is tinue with SOPs. We knew it but we will know exactly at the end of an incredible benefit because the was important to continue July. We will know more at the time of people who started here also have the (racing). We created the summer break,” Ezpeleta said. chance to complete their education. The Dorna chief said he feels amazed This is very important,” the Dorna chief looking at the infrastructure devel- said. “Motor sport is a challenge and opment in Qatar. the important thing is to accommodate “I am not surprised, I have been young people to try to improve while coming here since 2004. I remember when learning. The facilities in Qatar are just we were here for the first time and there amazing. Most federations have cham- was Ritz Carlton only (smiles). When we pionships for 10-year-olds and the good see from the window now, all of Qatar has riders, we bring them to Europe. We try changed. What we see now is incredible,” to make them understand more. We Ezpeleta said. need to be patient. We need to wait for Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta speaks during a press conference in Doha. “I think Qatar 2022 will be incredible the results,” he added. French delight as Quartararo storms to ‘dream’ Qatar win under lights RIZWAN REHMAT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PENINSULA FABIO QUARTARARO Frenchman Fabio Quartararo last night Frenchman Fabio Quartararo got his start in couldn’t have chosen a better time or motorcycle racing at the age of four, moving to circuit to announce himself as a threat Spain to develop his career and proclaimed national to his rivals in the new season. champion in the 70, 80 and 125 categories. The 21-year-old Monster Energy Yamaha rider won the Tissot Grand Prix In 2013 he won the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 of Qatar ahead of compatriot Johann championship and went on to win the same title Zarco and Spanish pole winner Jorge again in 2014. The previous rule against participating Martin to nail the second round of the in the Moto3 World Championship until the age 2021 MotoGP World Championship. of 16 had been repealed for the winner of the MOTOGP TISSOT GRAND PRIX OF then-national crown, so for 2015 - aged just 15 Once a popular name on the junior French rider Fabio circuit where he won six Spanish cham- DOHA: TOP 10 - Quartararo joined team-mate Jorge Navarro in Quartararo of Monster 1. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Honda team. pionship titles including successive CEV Energy Yamaha Moto3 crowns in 2013 and 2014, the MotoGP) MotoGP celebrates young Frenchman completed the 22-lap 2. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 1.457 Impressing from the start, Quartararo was on on the podium after race in a time of 42:23.997 after 3. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) + 1.500 the podium in just his second race. He repeated winning the Tissot that in Assen after claiming pole at both Jerez and grabbing lead with five laps to go. 4. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 2.088 Grand Prix of Le Mans, but unfortunately a late season ankle Quartararo pushed Zarco (Pramac 5. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha Doha, injury halted his progress. Racing) and his stablemate Martin to yesterday. MotoGP) + 2.110 second and third spots respectively in 6. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) For 2016 he moved to the Leopard Racing a single lap to win the top place on the + 2.642 team with KTM machinery, and then moved up Qatar podium after an exhilarating 7. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 4.868 to Moto2 in 2017 with Paginas Amarillas HP40. battle at the iconic Losail International 8. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Circuit. + 4.979 After some impressive showings of pace, Zarco was +1.457 slower than Quar- 9. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 5.365 Quartararo moved to Speed Up for his sophomore tararo while Martin - who impressed 10. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team season in the intermediate class and took his with his pole winning performance on Gresini) + 5.382 first win - and pole - at the Circuit de Barcelona- Saturday night - finished +1.500 seconds Catalunya. His move to the premier class surprised behind the rising French star. Zarco many, but what followed in 2019 was nothing passed Martin on the final lap to seal to win in Qatar. I worked a lot in the off- Team, +5.365 seconds) and Spain’s Aleix made another podium in the MotoGP short of remarkable: seven podiums, fifth in the second spot. season to achieve my dream. The media Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team class to lead the 2021 points race. the Championship and Rookie of the Year with Yesterday’s race was the first time told me always I need to work more to Gresini, +5.382) completed the top 10. “I was pretty happy when I took the 192 points. that two French riders reached the take Valentino’s place. Thanks for eve- In an intense battle under lights, lead. He has been faster than what podium in the elite class since 1954 ryone who believed in me.