IIIMY OWN RACE:
to the other mes we rode during the
weekend. All of that added to it! So,
I'm really proud of that ride because it
was solid. To get pole posi on and win
at the first round starts things off in a
good way."
5 JAUME MASIA
1ST MOTO3
"This was incredible, and I feel like we
deserve it because we worked so much
in tests," Masia said. "It was difficult to
control the race and there was a lot of
wind but I felt strong and it was easy to
keep in the group. At the front it was
more difficult! The plan was to do the
last lap in the lead and we managed it."
6 CAMERON BEAUBIER
11TH MOTO2
"First Moto2 race in the books!"
Beaubier enthused. "P11 with a fight
through the pack. "What a crazy race.
Now, I see how important qualifying is
in this class. I kept my head down and
made some good passes. I am happy
to get this first race under my belt and
move on to next weekend."
Behind Mir, Fabio Quartararo couldn't
maintain the pace of the leading quartet,
lamenting rear tire wear, as he steadily
dropped back through the pack after bat-
tling with countryman Zarco. Quartararo
would eventually finish three seconds off
teammate Vinales by the flag.
Sixth went to Mir's Suzuki teammate
Alex Rins, who at times looked like he had
the pace for a podium but couldn't bridge
the gap to Mir and Bagnaia after finally
dispensing of Ducati's Jack Miller. Rins
led home Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro
and his brother Pol Espargaro (Repsol
Honda).
It was a disastrous factory Ducati team
debut for Jack Miller. The Australian
qualified fifth on the grid and was in the
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 13 MARCH 30, 2021 P55
After hitting the front on
lap 15, Vinales put in a
series of fast laps to break
the challenge of Johann
Zarco (5) and Francesco
Bagnaia (63). Once the
Ducatis did not get past
him on the run down the
straight, it was game over
for the boys in red.
