MotoGP, Grand Prix Of Doha Preview, 4 April 2021

Viewers on DStv can look forward to the second round of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Doha, live from the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on the evening of Sunday 4 April 2021.

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The opening round of the season, the Grand Prix of Qatar, was held this past weekend at the same Losail International Circuit and saw Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales cope the best with the windy and sandy conditions to claim victory.

Ducati duo Johann Zarco and Francesco Bagnaia came home in second and third respectively, overtaking Suzuki’s reigning MotoGP world champion Joan Mir on the final run to the chequered flag.

Yahama’s Fabio Quartararo rounded out the top five, the legendary Valentino Rossi came home in 12^th, and South Africa’s own Brad Binder finished 14^th after an underwhelming start to the season on his KTM.

“I felt the potential, I was taking everything calmly,” Vinales, 26, said after his win. “I tried to be very smart, very calm… finally I opened a gap and I was trying to get the power. I can say nothing more than to say thank you to my family, especially my close family. You know my wife and I are waiting for a baby.”

Mir, despite missing out on the podium to start the defence of his title, was positive about the race – especially after his struggles in qualifying the day before. He will hope to build on his progress when the Grand Prix of Doha is held at the same venue on Sunday 4 April.

“I finally found the sensations of last season on the bike, I needed time, maybe a little too much, but I managed it,” said the Spaniard. “I tried to manage the tires as best I could and then push in the final part, and it was a shame not to get on the podium, but next week I’ll have another chance.”

The race will also see the continued absence of Honda’s Marc Marquez, with the six-time MotoGP world champion only set for his full return from injury at the third round in Portugal on April 18, while another focus of attention will be on whether another speed record can be set.

Last weekend saw Zarco clock a new top speed record – an amazing 362.4km/h – in a free practice session. “We were thinking this 360 km/h was possible, but I didn’t expect 362 km/h,” said the flying Frenchman. “So happy for it, because it’s always a special moment. I see that even if I brake very early I have a good opportunity in the race that I never had before. I can control the speed in the straight to stay easily behind the other riders. That’s the target.”

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 MotoGP, Grand Prix of Doha broadcast details, 3-4 April 2021

Saturday 3 April

18:55 CAT: Qualifying – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport

Sunday 4 April

18:55 CAT: Race – LIVE on SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Motorsport