Another season, another season opener. And what a race it was to get 2017 in gear! Without further ado, we present you the first of many Twitter race highlights of the year - kicking off with Cal Crutchlow getting it exactly right:
First free practice of 2017 @MotoGP season today. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do. Good luck and a safe year to all competitors …
— Cal Crutchlow (@calcrutchlow) 23 March 2017
Mahindra were also spreading the good vibes ahead of the first race, before the, uh...battle commenced!
Army or family? ???????????????????????? https://t.co/sHb4qFpVmz
— MahindraRacing (@MahindraRacing) 23 March 2017
...and Circuit Valencia had their war paint on early. #AlwaysPlug....for more information about the rest of the MotoGP™ calendar and to buy tickets, please visit the shop ;)
@MotoGP and the storm will finish in Valencia on November 12th ✊ #ValenciaGP
— CircuitValencia (@CircuitValencia) 23 March 2017
Before the calm before the storm, though, Loris Baz did his bit to keep the peace:
Hey @TeamEG00MarcVDS all my apologies to your sponsors !!! ???????? @jackmilleraus pic.twitter.com/lrXjCb0vtm
— Loris baz (@lorisbaz) 23 March 2017
Now back to the action, and two-wheel legend Mark Cavendish echoing the thoughts of many:
Time for the first @MotoGP race of the season!! ???????????? When i grow up I want to race motorbikes.
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) 26 March 2017
...as KTM got 2017 off to a flier.
FUN FACT: We are first, on penalties. @polespargaro exeeding pit lane speed (77km/h) at first exit in FP1 @MotoGP #QatarGP. ????✊️???????? pic.twitter.com/C3e73pjr1n
— KTM Factory Racing (@KTM_Racing) 23 March 2017
And Pramac took "off to a flier" a bit too literally...
Oi, @pramacracing - winglets are banned this year!????#QatarGP pic.twitter.com/sz03yclsSu
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 24 March 2017
Although failing to take off, attention still lifted to the sky as the weekend went on. Unfortunately.
Rain, or no rain, that is the question... #READYTORACE @bobendsneyder & @MiguelMoto3 @MotoGP #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/13vaqrHpde
— Red Bull KTM Ajo (@RedBull_KTM_Ajo) 26 March 2017
However much we tried to shake it off!
Current situation in #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/EcpT3Hvscb
— Lorenzo Baldassarri (@7balda) 25 March 2017
So it was time to sit back, relax, and watch the lightning roll by.
So while we wait, tonight's challenge for you all - caption this!???? #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/rYYm9LVXMO
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 25 March 2017
Literally:
Didn't get to ride today!! Just took this on way back from track.... hmmmm ☔️☔️ #iphone pic.twitter.com/d4Al2NZ81g
— Sam Lowes (@SamLowes22) 25 March 2017
It wasn't long before we realised there'd been an unapproved Rain Dance in Sector 2.
There's no denying it, the kid's got moves????#QatarGP pic.twitter.com/3e2KIr1BPS
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 24 March 2017
And it was all hands on deck to get the show on the road!
We've brought in the Qatari national curling team to help out... #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/c2aQYLkHfw
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 25 March 2017
Then, after everything...the coast was FINALLY clear and it was time to go racing...so racing we went!
The battle for 2nd rages on between Marquez, Iannone and Dovizioso!
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 26 March 2017
Rossi the quickest on track! #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/6aZMRHX14L
And that was the #QatarGP, not quite the weather we'd planned...#KeepPushing and we'll see you in Argentina!
It has not been the debut I expected, but we'll get positive conclusions. See you in Argentina, good race @AndreaDovizioso! #QatarGP #JL99 ???? pic.twitter.com/Ekc14NTHm1
— Jorge Lorenzo (@lorenzo99) 26 March 2017