Five lessons from Qatar

The 2015 MotoGP season got off to a storming start in Qatar__.__ Valentino Rossi took his 83rd career victory in the premier class, Ducati announced their return to the front, and Marc Márquez took fifth place after a terrible start.

1. MotoGP gives you a fix no other sport can

Quite simply, there are very few sports that light up all the senses like MotoGP Riders barrelling around at speeds of up to 340kph, constantly riding on the limit, and doing things on two wheels that beggar belief is something that only MotoGP can deliver.

Qatar is a spectacular setting for the first race too, and really captures the magnificence and magic of MotoGP, as the images above show.

2. This sport has real heroes

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Márquez was the target for everyone to beat before a wheel even turned in Qatar, and in spite of the type of start that would have killed many other rider's willingness to fight, he showed his champion's mentality to push his way right back into the points.

Meanwhile, Rossi's resilience and determination knows no limits. The nine-time world champ's win shows that 2015 is far from being a foregone conclusion.

3. Ducati are back in business

Andrea Dovizioso's pole position for the Italian manufacturer wasn't an anomaly. It showed that Ducati are finally able to push Honda and Yamaha again. Including Dovizioso, there were three Ducatis in the top six on the starting grid after qualifying, and his display was all the more impressive given that he'd only tested the GP15 machine for the first time a month earlier.

It was all backed up by the race distance display from Dovizioso, and with his factory Ducati team-mate Iannone also on the podium, it was a massive boost not only for Ducati, but for the championship too.

4. It’s tough being a rookie

There was some serious talent on show at Qatar, and rookies Jack Miller, Maverick Viñales, Eugene Laverty and Loris Baz all made their MotoGP debuts.

Suzuki rider Viñales finished in the points in 14th, but things worked out tougher for Miller. It just goes to show that the learning curve in MotoGP is steep and that the mental toughness required is a level above. The championship is certainly richer for having the rookies in 2015 though, both in terms of talent and personality.

5. Moto3 will continue to give us incredible talent and amazing action

Moto3 can always be relied upon for gripping, edge-of-the-seat thrills, and has often delivered where MotoGP has sometimes fallen short.

The category got the season under way with a typically frantic race that ended with a photo finish. Alexis Masbou won, just ahead of Enea Bastianini, whose climb from 21st on the grid to second at the chequered flag was something extra special. Less than a second covered the top nine riders.

The depth of talent in Moto3 this year is second to none. Bastianini is still only 17 years old, and the youngster who created a hot fuss in the lead-up to 2015 – Fabio Quartararo – is just 15. The Frenchman led the race at one stage in Qatar and placed seventh at the end.

via Redbull Website