As MotoGP enters a potential title-deciding weekend, it’s the floodlights of Qatar that are the stage for Round 20 of the season. The Lusail International Circuit has gained a reputation for hosting classics over the years, so together we’ve picked what we think are five of the best – for FREE!
2005: Rossi vs Melandri in the first of many last-lap deciders
Just a year after the circuit welcomed MotoGP, we were back to showcase the most exciting sport on Earth, and it didn’t disappoint. In a season that was being dominated by Valentino Rossi in his second season at Yamaha, Marco Melandri was emerging as a late contender for runner-up. In this desert thriller, the #33 made a bold lunge on the last lap into Turn 12. However, he ran wide and was denied a first premier-class win again by Rossi, who edged closer to his fifth MotoGP title by becoming the first rider to win 10 Grands Prix in a single season.
2013: a star’s debut, another star’s comeback
A new era erupted in 2013 as Marc Marquez made his debut in MotoGP. Straight away competitive but not quite enough to challenge eventual Grand Prix winner and defending Champion Jorge Lorenzo, he found himself going head-to-head with Valentino Rossi. The Doctor was in his quest for his eighth MotoGP title by this point, having stepped away from Ducati and back to Yamaha to try and achieve it. An early mistake sent Rossi down the order, but in classic ‘Vale’ style, he picked his way back through before it was him vs Marquez for P2. This time, it was the #46 that came out on top, but it wouldn’t be like that one year later…
2014: Marquez vs Rossi… for the win
Under the floodlights, a sizzling rivalry glistened in the season-opener as once again, the young pretender and now defending Champion Marquez went up against Rossi. This time, a duel for victory, with both swapping paint countless times in the closing stages. With two laps to go, they swapped places four times, with the last effort being a bold attempt by Rossi at Turn 10, but to no avail. Marquez held on to start a winning streak of 10 Grands Prix.
2018: Marquez vs Dovi, take one
Another classic to start the season, something that had become a theme in 2017 and would continue until the close of 2019: Marc Marquez vs Andrea Dovizioso. Dovi led going into the final two laps from a hungry and determined Marquez, now without a win at Lusail since 2014 against Rossi, who was once again there in contention but this time in P3. As had so often been the case, it came down to the final lap between Marquez and Dovizioso, with the Italian in command, until the #93 dived to the inside at the final corner. Like countless times before, he ran wide, and the #04 calmly retook the lead and started a new season as Championship leader. There was more where that came from…
2019: Marquez vs Dovi, take two
So, following a similar pattern as the 2018 edition, it was again Dovizioso and Ducati who led Honda and Marquez through the final lap, although this time the #93 knew he couldn’t wait until the final corner. He tried at Turn 10 but couldn’t make it stick and looked at Turn 12, only for Dovizioso to close the door. Down to the final corner, Marquez made a late move to attack his arch rival but again, ran wide just like 12 months before, leaving the coast clear for Dovizioso to hit the front and hold him off to the line. Breathless all the way, it was another Qatar classic.
And that’s not all; there’s been plenty of iconic moments in years past, with the circuit playing host to Casey Stoner, Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio's first MotoGP win. Now, title hopes are on the line, with everything to play for as we look to create further Qatar memories this weekend.