Losail 2017 - Initial thoughts

There are already several differences compare to last year. In 2016 the qualifying results had Lorenzo leading the group with 1.55.3: this means that the average pace improved about 1 second and we are still in free practices!
Theoretically when the rhythm increase, it means the braking spaces decrease and also the possibilities to overtake, but this is not necessarily the rule. 

The weather then changed the conditions of the track compromising the feeling of the riders.

I was really surprised by Iannone who made the same time lap by the very strong and persistent Vinales in FP3, despite is lacking of top speed and despite the very long straight. Less good for Marquez, suspiciously I would say, who has been slower even than his teammate Pedrosa, but it's too early to jump to conclusions. 

Rossi has definitely some problem, like the rear shock sensor or the electronic throttle failure, which compromised his time lap more than once. The Doctor summarized all of it in a very bad job during the winter tests, which could possibly be but which makes him the latest of the Yamahas for 3 times in a row and his personal team the only one with this issue. 

Tech3 should be proud of the results so far. Zarco is frightfully fast and competitive and I believe he will be annoying for the front riders during the race. Despite his teammate Folger has been very fast too, I don't think he will be one of the protagonists due to his lack of determination. Of course I hope to be wrong on this.

A disappointing Lorenzo has been not able to qualify himself for the Q2 where his teammate Dovizioso and Redding (on GP16) did it. The high to speed by Ducati is very important here in Qatar, but is not enough and it's necessary to work better on handling.

Below the 10 riders deck qualified in Q2:

1. Maverick Vinales Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 
2. Andrea Iannone      Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 
3. Marc Marquez         Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 
4. Johann Zarco Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)
5. Andrea Dovizioso    Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 
6. Scott Redding Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 
7. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 
8. Jonas Folger       Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1) 
9. Cal Crutchlow         LCR Honda (RC213V) 
10. Valentino Rossi Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1)