8.928 seconds: MotoGP™'s closest ever top 15

The Tissot Grand Prix of Doha will go down as an instant classic as we witness history unfold again in the desert

In a breath-taking MotoGP™ contest won by Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo, the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha now sits as hosting the closest top 15 finish in history. The Losail International Circuit has a habit of creating close finishes, but this time around was on a different scale.

MotoGP, TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha

8.928 seconds. That was the margin between Quartararo and Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in a ferocious race under the lights, a gap that easily beats the previous record of 15.093 seconds also at the Losail International Circuit. 42 minutes of racing to see the point scorers flash across the line in under nine seconds is genuinely ridiculous, once again showcasing just how incredible Grand Prix motorcycle racing is in 2021.

 

To make it even more special, every manufacturer was inside the top 15 and to be even more specific, 6.063 seconds was the gap between Yamaha, Ducati, Suzuki, KTM, Aprilia and Honda in Doha. All six manufacturers have built very competitive machinery for the best riders in the world to challenge each other on, creating an even greater spectacle than we had before. And that’s saying something.

At the opening two Grands Prix this year, we’ve been treated to the first and fifth closest top 15 finishes in history. The gap between Qatar GP winner Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) was 16.422 seconds, just under fourth tenths bigger than the 2018 Dutch GP won by Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).

Current five closest top 15 finishes in history:
1. 2021 Grand Prix of Doha (8.928 seconds)
2. 2019 Grand Prix of Qatar (15.093s)
3. 2020 Aragon Grand Prix (15.941s)
4. 2018 Dutch Grand Prix (16.043s)
5. 2021 Grand Prix of Qatar (16.422s)

It’s safe to say MotoGP™ has returned with an almighty bang in 2021, and long may we continue to witness some of the closest racing on the planet. The future is bright for our sport, roll on Portugal! 

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