MotoGP Qatar Test: Bradl leads rookies and test riders on day 1

Stefan Bradl concludes Day 1 of the 2021 MotoGP season in P1 joined by test riders and rookies.

The 2021 MotoGP season has officially begun with testing commencing at Qatar for the test riders and rookies. All 6 manufacturers fielded test riders which included Lorenzo Savadori doing testing work for the team as well as being a MotoGP rookie as he races his first MotoGP season.

Ducati’s trio of rookies namely Enea Bastianini, Luca Marini and Jorge Martin also took to the track on their MotoGP steeds for the first time as they get to grips with the new tyres, electronics, brakes and sheer power of their new race bikes. Enea Bastianini was the fastest of the three whilst Jorge Martin suffered a crash but was OK.

Cal Crutchlow was reunited with Yamaha as he took to the track for the first time since 2013 in blue, the British rider retiring at the end of the 2020 MotoGP season and signing for Yamaha to replace Jorge Lorenzo as their test rider. Crutchlow was given the chance to test three different bikes, supposedly riding the 2019, 2020 and 2021 evolutions of the YZR-M1. His participation in Yamaha’s project supposedly ‘completes the circle’ according to Yamaha riders who have struggled in recent years.

See the full results below: