GGOLF|OLF Page 3 TTENNIS|ENNIS Page 6 Masters Poland’s springs back Hurkacz beats to normal aft er Italian Sinner records tumble in Miami fi nal Monday, April 5, 2021 CRICKET Sha’aban 23, 1442 AH Fakhar epic in vain GULF TIMES as South Africa beat Pakistan in 2nd ODI SPORT Page 4 Fabulous Fabio! Quartararo wins Tissot Grand Prix of Doha, Zarco makes it a French one-two AFP Doha abio Quartararo of Yamaha won the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha yes- terday with French com- Fpatriot Johann Zarco of Ducati- Pramac fi nishing second. Spanish rookie Jorge Martin, the teammate of Zarco, was third after starting the race on pole position. It was the fi rst time two French riders had been on the podium in the sport’s elite class since 1954 when Pierre Monneret won and Jacques Collot was third on home soil in Reims. Quartararo joked modestly that he “will enjoy the moment with a nice McDonald’s tonight” following his win. “It is easy to say I’ve not won a lot of races – but wow!” he added. “I came from eighth, the pace and track were totally diff er- ent from the fourth practice and warm-up. “I always dreamed to win in Qatar, unfortunately I was not the fi rst (this season).” Fabio Quartararo is all smiles as he poses with his trophy. Zarco’s second-place fi nish was enough to put him on top MOTOGP RESULTS of the world championship after two rounds. 1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 5.382 He has 40 points with Quar- 42:23.997 Selected: tararo in second, just four points Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s French rider Fabio Quartararo celebrates winning the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha at the Losail 2. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati- 12. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha- behind. International Circuit in Qatar yesterday. Pramac) at 1.457 SRT) 5.787 “I was pretty happy that Jorge 3. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac) 16. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha- (Martin) took the pace, after half a and podium for a teammate.” Valentino Rossi, the seven- on a Ducati, and Spanish Aprilia Martin was visibly delighted 1.500 SRT) 14.246 race he had the pace – but I was still Spain’s Alex Rins, on a Suzuki, time MotoGP world champion, rider Aleix Espargaro completed with the result, describing it as 4. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 2.088 World championship standings able to stay behind him,” Zarco said. and Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales, was 16th on the Yamaha-SRT, the top 10. “a difficult race – I am a rook- 5. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) (after two rounds): “He was so clean in the style. the winner of the season-open- after starting in 21st place, the Miller had a second ninth- ie!”. 2.110 1. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati- It was this situation in four laps ing Qatar MotoGP on the same Italian’s worst ever qualifying place fi nish in as many weeks “I think I did a really mature 6. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) Pramac) 40 pts to the end, Fabio came in the Losail track last week, fi lled out performance. despite a strong showing in free race. The passing was so diffi - 2.642 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) right place to overtake Jorge. the top fi ve. Italy’s Francesco Bagnaia, on a practice, with a bump with Mir cult, if it was another rider (than 7. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 4.868 36 “I tried to overtake Fabio but I Vinales had an eventful race Ducati, defending world cham- dominating his race. Zarco) I would have taken him 8. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 4.979 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 36 could not pass him. after a poor start and his frustra- pion Joan Mir of Spain on a Su- The two exchanged words back for sure. 9. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) 5.365 4. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 26 “I’m so happy for both of tion was visible after the cheq- zuki, South Africa’s Brad Binder, heatedly for the duration of the “I’m happy with third posi- 10. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 5. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 23 them – victory of a French rider uered fl ag fell. of KTM, Australia’s Jack Miller, subsequent straight. tion, my fi rst podium fi nish.” BOTTOMLINE Dorna CEO lauds ‘great partnership’ with Qatar By Mikhil Bhat MotoGP family, the paddock, the ‘Qatar will host incredible World Cup’ this year and the next.” Doha manufacturers, the teams, we cre- The 75-year-old was all praise ated a protocol, which has been for the Qatari support for motor- working really well. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 go between the hotel and cycling and believed the only way “We have the experience of the will be incredible, Carmelo the circuit (due to health and is forward. “This year for the fi rst orna CEO Carmelo 14 races we did last year under the Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP com- safety protocols), and the only time three Qatari riders have par- Ezpeleta praised the ef- protocol, and it was very easy to mercial rights holder Dorna, said stadium we have been able to ticipated in the Asia Talent Cup, forts of the Qatari au- work here (in Qatar). Honestly, we yesterday. see is the Lusail Stadium and I and if I may say they are doing very thorities to ensure a are looking forward to host races, The MotoGP caravan was in must say the progress is looking well. It is the fi rst time for them Dsuccessful start to the new Mo- and if that (strict health and safety Qatar for a season-opening incredible. Qatar 2022 will be an competing against people with toGP season even as the Covid-19 protocols) is the only way to do double-header at the Losail In- incredible success.” more experience. The situation pandemic still looms, adding that it, so be it. None of the riders, the ternational Circuit, the last race The 80,000 capacity Lusail in Qatar for motorcycling is very he hoped that a Qatari rider would teams, no one has complained. We of which was held yesterday at Stadium will host the final of the good, but if one day we can have a be able to make it to the upper ech- understand the protocols are nec- the floodlit circuit. The sport has World Cup on December 18, the Qatari rider competing in the cat- elons of motorcycling in the near essary.” been visiting Qatar since the Qatar National Day. egory with a possibility of success, future. The new season began with inaugural Grand Prix in 2004, “We are waiting, all the people it will be fantastic. It is important “We started here in Qatar in a bang as Maverick Vinales of and the 75-year-old has seen the who love sport, everyone is to have somebody from the Middle 2004 and it has been a great part- Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta speaks to the media yesterday at the Monster Energy Yamaha put up a country grow leaps and bounds waiting. We (at Dorna and East, and especially from Qatar,” nership. We were not able to host Ritz-Carlton Doha. masterclass in the opener beating since. “When we first came in MotoGP) know it, we have been the Spaniard said. one category last year due to the the pure speed of Ducati, whose 2004 and we were at the hotel, here since 2004, but for the He was all praise for the world- pandemic,” Ezpeleta told the local Motorcycle Federation president) Losail International Circuit, and Francesco Bagnaia had beaten the it was the only building around. majority of the people who will class Aspire Academy and the media on the Tissot Grand Prix of Mr Abdulrahman al-Mannai. He is provisionally set to conclude in Losail lap record to clinch pole. Now when we look out of the come here for the first time, or Qatar Motorsports Academy. Doha raceday yesterday, referring proposed this possibility (of host- November with the Argentina and “We believe we have a fantastic window, Qatar has changed those who will see matches on “You have something here that is to the 2020 edition of the event ing a double-header), and now we United States postponed due to world championship in front of us. completely,” he said during a television, it will be an incredible incredible that is there nowhere where the MotoGP category race are here. We are extremely happy the pandemic. We had a fantastic race last week press conference with the local surprise. But it’s not a surprise else in the world, which is As- was not held, while the Moto2 and thankful to the Government Asked if travelling and organ- and I think this will continue for media yesterday. for us. We know how the Qataris pire. It is incredible that students and Moto3 races went ahead as of Qatar. ising a world championship in- the rest of the races too,” Ezpeleta “We have only been able to do things.” can compete in the sport of their planned. “The MotoGP family appreci- side a bio-bubble has been tak- said. “Our wish is to do all the rac- choice while completing their ed- “As soon as it was clear that un- ates everything that Qatar has ing a toll on the MotoGP caravan, es from now to the end of the sea- ucation. Accommodating people, der the current situation our 2021 done. But it is not a surprise, since Ezpeleta said, “After we saw what son in November, unfortunately Thailand, and right now we are drawn into the fi nancial impact of their families, to use Aspire and season was going to start in Qa- we have been working together happened in Qatar (last year with without the spectators.