Quartararo wins as MotoGP resumes; Márquez crashes out - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Quartararo wins as MotoGP resumes; Márquez crashes out

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA | ByAssociated Press
Jul 19, 2020 06:49 PM IST

The 21-year-old Quartararo, who started from pole position after a record lap at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, became the first Frenchman to win in MotoGP since Regis Laconi in 1999.

Fabio Quartararo won the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday as MotoGP got its season underway amid the coronavirus pandemic. Six-time defending MotoGP champion Marc Márquez crashed hard with four laps to go and had to be carried off the track on a stretcher with an apparent arm injury. He started third but had to come from behind after losing control of his bike and avoiding an earlier crash that put him back in the pack at the beginning of the race.

MotoGP - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain - July 19, 2020 Petronas Yamaha SRT's Fabio Quartararo celebrates winning the race on the podium REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo(REUTERS)
MotoGP - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain - July 19, 2020 Petronas Yamaha SRT's Fabio Quartararo celebrates winning the race on the podium REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo(REUTERS)

The 21-year-old Quartararo, who started from pole position after a record lap at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, became the first Frenchman to win in MotoGP since Regis Laconi in 1999.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“This is best moment of my life for sure,” Quartararo said. “It is strange, without the fans. I would love them to be here and to cheer with them. This race was for all of them, for all the people affected with COVID.”

It was the first of seven races in Spain in a reduced season that was originally scheduled to start in March. The second of the 13-races on this year’s calendar will also be run at Jerez next weekend.

The MotoGP season was set to start in March in Qatar but only Moto 2 and Moto 3 were ran as the coronavirus outbreak struck.

The race in Spain was held without fans and under strict health controls.

Races have been limited to a total of 1,200 people within the venue, including drivers, team members, track crew, medics and local staff. They all must adhere to strict social distancing rules and wear face masks whenever possible.

Everyone attending must pass a COVID-19 virus test five days before each event and remain in self-isolation until the race. Random tests may also be carried out at the circuit.

Teams will be kept separate in small groups to reduce the risk of contagion.

Suzuki rider Alex Rins did not race after fracturing his shoulder in a crash in qualifying.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Catch all the Latest IPL 2024 news and Live Cricket Score along with WPL Schedule and WPL Points Table related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On