MotoGP insight: Advantage Pecco Bagnaia

A resurfaced Lusail International Circuit in Qatar was always likely to throw up something unexpected, not least with the race moving from March to November.

And while Fabio Di Giannantonio’s first win was chief among the surprises, the contrasting fortunes of title challengers Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin on Saturday then Sunday sparked the real drama.

On the verge Reigning World Champion Bagnaia may have been annoyed that a mistake three laps from the flag deprived him of victory in the main race.

But the Italian can now reflect on the most important second place of his career, which extended his lead from seven points before Sunday’s encounter to 21.

Keep his head this weekend, and he’ll be a three-time champion…