The Spaniard Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) won the Grand Prix motorsport of Qatar in the MotoGP class at the Circuit of Losail, near the capital Doha, on Sunday, which is the opening round of the season in the queen class of motorsport.
The 26-year-old Vinales beat the Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac) with a lead of just over a second. Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) had to settle for third place after leaving pole position. Spanish reigning world champion Joan Mir (Suzuki) came fourth, ahead of French Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha).
For Vinales it was the ninth MotoGP victory of his career. Next week there will be another race at the Losail Circuit, for the GP of Doha. The third heat of the season is scheduled for April 18 in Portugal.