ÁLEX MÁRQUEZ UPBEAT AHEAD OF LCR RACE DEBUT IN QATAR

Álex Márquez will make his first MotoGP start in LCR colours from the sixth row after an encouraging day of qualifying for the season-opening Grand Prix of Qatar. The LCR Honda CASTROL rider again showed flashes of his potential on board his new 2021 machinery, but ultimately had to settle for 16^th position on the grid at the Losail International Circuit.

With riders unable to improve on Friday’s lap times in FP3, Álex found himself in Q1 with the likes of world champion Joan Mir and team-mate Taka Nakagami. The Spaniard was in the battle for the top two spots in the early exchanges, but ended the session in sixth spot – despite his best-ever time at the venue – which translated to 16^th overall.