Lorenzo starts 250cc defence with a win

Jorge Lorenzo has begun his 250cc championship defence with a comfortable win in Qatar, from Alex de Angelis and Hector Barbera

Barbera had a hard duel with Thomas Luthi, who finished fourth after leading from the start on his debut in the class. Andrea Dovizioso finished fifth from Roberto Locatalli. Meanwhile KTM rider Mika Kallio pulled out in the final stages, due to mechanical problems, while team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama crashed on lap two.

Britian’s Eugene Laverty finished in 18th place in his first 250cc GP for the Honda LCR team.

Results:

1. Lorenzo.

2. De Angelis.

3. Barbera.

4. Luthi.

5. Dovizioso.

6. Locatelli.

7. Takahashi.

8. Simon.

9. Simoncelli.

10. Aoyama S.

11. Espargaro.

12. Lai.

13. West.

14. Wilairot.

15. Heidolf.

16. Cluzel.

17. Baldolini.

18. Laverty.

19. Toth.

DNF: Kallio, Tizon, Sekiguchi, Abraham, Bautista, Aoyama H.