Marquez Brothers Dominate Tissot Sprint Race as 2025 MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar Concludes Thrilling Day 2
Following Friday’s practice sessions, the Lusail International Circuit (LIC) delivered another day of high-octane racing action featuring the crucial second practice rounds and qualifying (Q) sessions that determine the starting grid positions for Sunday’s main events, the exciting Tissot Sprint race that gave fans an early taste of premier class competition, and the popular Hero Walk allowing fans to connect with their favorite riders.
The day began with the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup’s qualifying where the leaders from Friday’s practice sessions maintained their positions. Ryota Ogiwara from Idemitsu ATC - Japan continued to dominate with an improved 2'09.295, followed by Seiryu Ikegami from Idemitsu ATC - Japan second at 2'10.154 and Haruki Matsuyama from Idemitsu ATC - Japan completing the top three at 2'10.414.
The second Moto3™ free Practice followed, where riders fine-tuned their 250cc bikes and strategies following yesterday's sessions. Jose Antonio Rueda from Red Bull KTM Ajo came first clocking at 2'03.357, followed closely by Adrian Fernandez from Leopard Racing at 2'03.629 and David Muñoz from LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP at 2'03.670.
Moto2™’s second free practice saw riders pushing their limits around the 5.38km track. Building on yesterday's data, Albert Arenas from ITALJET Gresini Moto2 claimed the top spot with 1'57.573, followed by Manuel Gonzalez from LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP
at 1'57.575 and Daniel Holgado from CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team finishing third at 1'57.723.
The premier class action started with the second MotoGP™ free practice where factory teams and satellite squads alike used this final opportunity to perfect their race setups leading to some interesting changes in the podium compared to the practices on Friday with Marc Marquez from Ducati Lenovo Team continuing to dominate with an even faster lap recorded at 1'51.877. Following closely was his brother Alex Marquez from BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP at 1'52.109 and Fabio Quartararo at 1'52.356 from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team.
MotoGP™'s qualifying sessions began with Q1, where riders who didn't finish in the top 10 during Friday's practice sessions fought for the final two transfer positions to Q2. The 15-minute session featured intense competition as competitors sought to secure better grid positions for both the Sprint Race and Sunday's Grand Prix. Ai Ogura from Trackhouse MotoGP Team finished first with a respectable 1'51.104, followed by Alex Rins from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team clocking in at 1'51.512, thus advancing to Q2. Marco Bezzecchi from Aprilia Racing finished third with 1'51.553, placing him 13th on the starting grid.
MotoGP™’s second qualifying determined the first four rows of the starting grid. The 15-minute shootout saw the fastest riders with pole position offering a crucial advantage on the 1.068 km Lusail straight. Marc Marquez continued to dominate with a yet again improved lap at 1'50.499. Once again, following closely was his brother Alex Marquez at 1'50.600 and Fabio Quartararo at 1'50.759 from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team.
The first race of the weekend was the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup where Japanese riders Ryota Ogiwara, Seiryu Ikegami and Shingo Iidaka maintained dominance with total times of 26’15.497, 26’15.538 and 26’18.311 respectively.
Moto3™ qualifying sessions followed, with David Almansa from Leopard racing coming first with 2’03.237 followed by teammate Adrian Fernandez clocking at 2'03.617. Cormac Buchanan representing DENSSI Racing - BOE came third with a 2'04.299. As for the second qualifying, Ryusei Yamanaka from FRINSA - MT Helmets - MSI topped the timesheets securing his first position at the grid for Sunday's main race with a time of 2’02.638. Jose Kelso from LEVELUP-MTA finished 0.041 seconds behind followed by Jose Antonio Rueda from Red Bull KTM Ajo clocking in at 2'02.914.
The Moto2™ class completed the day's qualifying action, with the first qualifying showcasing Senna Agius from LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP coming first with 1’57.102, Filip Salac from ELF Marc VDS Racing Team coming second with 1’57.169 followed closely by Diogo Moreira from Italtrans Racing Team clocking in at 1’57.251. The second qualifying witnessed Manuel Gonzalez from LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP securing his first position on the grid for Sunday’s race with a 1’56.301. He was followed by Jake Dixon from ELF Marc VDS Racing Team and Aron Canet from Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO clocking in at 1’56.469 and 1’56.593 respectively.
The day's racing concluded with the highly anticipated Tissot Sprint, featuring 11 thrilling laps and providing fans with an electrifying preview of Sunday's full-length Grand Prix. Once again the Marquez brothers topped the timesheets with Marc coming first with a total time of 20’38.304, 1.577 seconds ahead of Alex and 3.988 seconds ahead of Franco Morbidelli who came third.
The Fan Zone continued to buzz with excitement as attendees enjoyed simulator experiences, go-karting sessions, illusion shows, and live music performances from various DJs and bands. Additionally, the Hero Walk brought together Moto2™ and Moto3™ riders in a special fan engagement opportunity, allowing spectators to get up close with their favorite competitors. Enthusiastic crowds lined the paddock walkway as riders from both classes signed autographs, posed for photographs, and interacted with fans.
As the 2025 MotoGP™ Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar heads into its final day, fans can look forward to Sunday's main events, where championship points and racing glory await the victors.