Lowes – who received a track limits warning – had a comfortable 2.2 second lead over Gardner, who in turn led Bezzecchi and ‘Diggia’ by 2.4 seconds. The final place on the podium was between the two Italians and Di Giannantonio sliced up the inside at Turn 11, a classy move pulled off. Up the road, Lowes took a sensational and commanding victory as Gardner took a well-earned P2, with Di Giannantonio holding P3 to the line by 0.013s to hand himself and Gresini an emotional rostrum. The first for Gresini Racing in Moto2™ since Lowes in 2016 at the Aragon GP, and a fitting way to remember the late, great Fausto Gresini.

Bezzecchi loses out on a rostrum by the slimmest of margins but a P4 is far from a disastrous way to open your 2021 account. Fernandez couldn’t hold onto a podium place in his first Moto2™ race but it was nevertheless a phenomenal ride from the Spaniard, who beats sixth place Roberts by 0.6 seconds, the American, in turn, beating a heroic Dixon by a couple of seconds at the flag. The top seven will be pleased with their opening run outs of 2021.

Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) eventually got the better of Bendsneyder as the German, Dutchman and Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) completed the top 10. 11th place Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) produced a fantastic debut Moto2™ race in a heated battle for the remaining point-scoring positions. Fellow rookie Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) also had a solid ride to finish 0.142s behind Beaubier in P12, they both get the better of the more experienced Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team), Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) – the latter trio completing the points.

Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40), Lorenzo Baldassarri (MV Agusta Forward Racing) and Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed out, riders ok.

Lowes did the business after a Warm Up mishap, the British rider starts the year with a perfect performance. Gardner and the chasing pack will be hoping to make up ground when the riders attack the Losail International Circuit again next weekend, who will come out on top in Doha in seven days time?

Top 10:
1. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing)
2. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 2.260
3. Fabio DiGiannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Racing Moto2) + 5.228
4. Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 5.241
5. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 6.145
6. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) + 6.786
7. Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) + 8.721
8. Marcel Schrotter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) + 10.911
9. Bo Bendsnyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) + 12.493
10. Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Belt Speed Up) + 16.800.

BARWA GRAND PRIX OF QATAR

Moto2 Race Classification 2021.