Joe Roberts comes close to finishing in the top five in the Qatar Grand Prix.
Uphill race for Lorenzo Dalla Porta

First meeting of the season for the MotoGP World Championship on the Losail Circuit, in Qatar, with the stands timidly colored by the public, but the paddock always closed due to anti-Covid-19 regulations.

An important race for Italtrans Racing Team, reigning Moto2 World Champion together with Enea Bastianini and this year on the track with Joe Roberts and Lorenzo Dalla Porta.

After the excellent timing in the warm up with the best time, Roberts confirmed the positive feelings of the weekend in the race. Starting from the second row on the grid thanks to the 5th time achieved in qualifying, the American was the protagonist of a regular race, in search of the leading group. At the end of a good head-to-head first with Dixon and Di Giannantonio and then with Fernandez, Roberts finished 6th, just a whisker away from the top five.

Author of his best qualifying in Moto2, Dalla Porta started from 14th place, but was unable to capitalize on the growth achieved throughout the weekend, finishing 18th outside the points zone.

Giovanni Sandi | Technical Director
“We were a bit unlucky with the wind, which influenced our performance a lot: the bike had been prepared for a certain type of conditions, but after a few laps the wind decreased and so did our speed. Despite this, Joe was very good and I am happy with his race, even if the podium was within our reach. Lorenzo had some more difficulties, but we are ready to work to put him in the best conditions to help him grow."

Lorenzo Dalla Porta #19 | 18th
“I would have liked to do more, but today it wasn't possible better than that. The wind didn't help us and the track conditions changed a lot throughout the weekend. I tried to adapt, but I couldn't achieve the goal. This was only the first race: there is a long road ahead of us and we are aware that our potential is higher."

Joe Roberts #16 | 6th
“I am happy with the results obtained in this first race. I think that's a good place to start. Maybe we could have done something more and fought for the podium, but we came close. Step by step we are getting stronger and I feel really good with the team. I'm happy we're making progress. We know how to improve for next weekend and I'm positive for the second round here in Qatar."