Quartararo, Bagnaia and Mir kick off Qatar MotoGP 2022 in style

Tribune News Network Doha Ahead of the MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar, Lusail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) organised a ceremony in cooperation with the Supreme C...

Tribune News NetworkDohaAhead of the MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar, Lusail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) organised a ceremony in cooperation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy as 2021 MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo, runner-up Francesco Bagnaia and 2020 champion Joan Mir headed to the iconic Lusail Stadium with a very special guest: former Brazil football captain Cafu.The four saddled up at Lusail International Circuit and then rode on street bikes – with each rider representing for their factory and Cafu on a BMW M 1000 RR – to the stadium in a unique parade, riding right to the edge of the turf that will host the final of the 2022 World Cup. After a quick photo opportunity there, it was time to hit the changing room and get ready to head out onto the pitch. At the Lusail stadium, they were joined by three former Qatari footballers – Mubarak Mustafa, Khaled Salman and Ahmed Khalil. The three riders had a personalised national kit waiting for them, with Quartararo representing France, Bagnaia Italy and Mir Spain. Once suited and booted, they headed back onto the pitch with ambassadors of the Super Committee of Qatar: Cafu, Mubarak Mustafa and Khalid Salman, making them the first players to step on the grass ahead of its official inauguration later in March.“We are also honoured to have joined the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in organizing an Activation Ceremony to promote Qatar as a global destination for major international sports and cultural events. The ceremony has brought together MotoGP’s 2021 top three riders along with three Qatar Legacy Ambassadors to participate in a sports show, featuring a combination of a friendly motorcycle race and a friendly football match at Lusail Stadium,” said QMMF and Lusail Circuits Sports Club president Abdulrahman Al Mannai.He also mentioned that the event’s program was organised in a way that would keep all attendees engaged by including a day of free access to children under the age of 12, music concerts, and moto-racing exhibitions dedicated to both those who are veteran fans of the sport and those who are experiencing it for the first time. He also drew attention to the high levels of hospitality that fans should expect to enjoy during the event in the VIP and VVIP areas describing the overall service and atmosphere as a 5-star rated experience.Cafu said: “It’s incredible to be in this stadium that will host the World Cup final. Being here with the guys from MotoGP has really been a fantastic experience. Seeing them on the track and what they do, being here with them playing football today has been a day to remember!“On the football pitch, maybe I have some more experience! But they did really well, and it was a lot of fun, and we enjoyed it.”Speaking of his experience, Quartararo said: “This is the first time I’ve played at a professional stadium, it’s really nice and we had fun with Pecco and Joan, it’s a good way to start the GP. “I’m feeling strong, I feel I’m in good shape to fight for really good results, but we’ll see with our bike, we didn’t make a big step but I feel like in riding I’m really strong. To be honest we lost a bit on one-lap pace, I lost it a bit in pre-season, but on race pace I’ve been incredible. We can always improve but I felt super strong so let’s hope to have the same pace in this GP.”Bagnaia was thrilled as well: “I enjoyed today, maybe it would be nice to always have pre-events like this! I’d like to see Italy in the final in this stadium, it would be great. “I feel ready for the season, more than last year, for sure the last part of last season was very good and we start from there. The feeing with the bike is good, the feeling with the team is great and I think we have the potential to do a really good job. It looks like it will be a really nice Championship for the fans, because a lot of riders are fast and competitive with the bikes so I think it’ll be good.“For sure the level is higher than last year, but we’re prepared for that. I think we can fight for the win,” he said. Mir said it was a masterclass: “I enjoyed this a lot, today we got a masterclass and enjoyed it a lot. This place is amazing, before the World Cup it’s something special. Football is something I like to practice, although I don’t practice a lot, I enjoy it. So thanks for the opportunity! I enjoyed it and I hope to be back when the World Cup’s here.“I think missing the last day in Mandalika isn’t something we’ll pay for. We’ve been testing well, maybe we are missing some time attacks to understand the limit of the bike, but I feel great. I think we can make a good start and be prepared. it’s always nice to start the season here in Qatar, it’s a track I always enjoy and FP1 is always dirty but it’s really nice.“Every year I make a step in physical condition and experience, this is really important. I’m young and every year I have margin to improve, and physically I always have more. I trained a lot and I’m ready. Who knows what will happen, but let’s enjoy it.”Now it’s back to familiar turf and the paddock, with the pre-event press ponference on Thursday prefacing the first track action of the year on Friday morning. Lights out for MotoGP on Sunday is 18:00hrs.