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'Unreal' Bagnaia cruises to season-opening Qatar MotoGP win / Photo: KARIM JAAFAR - AFP
'Unreal' Bagnaia cruises to season-opening Qatar MotoGP win
Defending double world champion Francesco Bagnaia cruised to victory in the season-opening Qatar MotoGP on Sunday.
The Ducati rider made a storming start from fifth off the grid to hit the front and take total control of the first race in MotoGP's 75th anniversary season.
Brad Binder finished second for KTM with pole-sitter Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) in third.
Bagnaia, fourth behind Martin in Saturday's sprint, reflected: "We knew our potential, we tried to do our maximum yesterday, but changed the set up - today was totally different."
South African Binder said he was "super stoked" after also filling second in the sprint.
"We knew it was going to be tough to get to the end. I tried to get so close to 'Pecco' (Bagnaia) but he did an unreal job, he didn't make one mistake."
Martin, who had claimed pole after a record lap in qualifying, was more than happy with his weekend's work at the Lusail International Circuit.
"A win yesterday and P3 today, I've taken a lot of points over the weekend so I'm pleased."
J.Campbell--SMC
