Vinales wins on MotoGP debut for Yamaha

After stealing the headlines throughout preseason, Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha) retained them with his first win for Yamaha at the Qatar season opener. The polesitter fought it out with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) in an awesome desert duel. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completed the podium in third after coming back from P10 on the grid.

A stunning start from Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) from P2 was soon overshadowed as rookie Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) slammed into the lead in the first laps, getting away and making a gap as Vinales found himself falling back into the clutches of his teammate. But despite an incredible display, the fairy tale came to an early end for the Frenchman as he slid out of the lead soon after.

With the No. 4 Ducati getting away in the lead, Iannone then crashed out of the fight for second – leaving reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda), Vinales and Rossi chasing the leading Desmosedici. After a classic scuffle between the No. 46 and 93, Rossi set off in pursuit of his teammate.

It wasn't long, however, before there was some fresh air between lead two and Rossi – with a duel setting in that saw Vinales' corner speed pitched against the sheer might of the Ducati. After trading places for a few laps and the race impossible to call, the Spaniard was then able to hold off the Italian on the penultimate lap – and made it to the line to take his second MotoGP win, and his first in Yamaha colors.

Marquez crossed the line fourth, just ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa by the flag – who took fifth after getting the better of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini). Espargaro's result was a historic first top six for Aprilia in the stunning first ride in Noale colours for the rider from Granollers. Impressive performances from Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) and Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) saw the two men come home in P7 and P8, with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) top rookie in P9 – just ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Jonas Folger, who completed the top ten.

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) went wide on the first lap after a solid start, down to near the back of the grid after carefully rejoining and then beginning a steady fight back through the field. Up into 10th with 12 laps to go, the Spaniard crossed the line in P11 by the end of play.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) crashed out of contention before rejoining and then suffering the same fate, with Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) crashing out soon after, as well as Octo Pramac Racing rider Danilo Petrucci – joining Iannone and Zarco on the list of unluckies in round one.