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2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship
2021 Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar
Losail International Circuit
Lusail, Qatar
Sunday, 28 March 2021
The
2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship season will officially get underway in Lusail, Qatar this weekend.
Image copyright: Getty Images
The MotoGP season will start with two races on successive weekends in Qatar, followed by the Grande Prémio de Portugal.
Organisers were forced to change the calendar due to on-going obstacles presented by the Covid-19 pandemic with races in Argentina and the United States postponed.
"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns and complications sadly oblige the postponement of both the Argentina GP and the Americas GP until the last quarter of 2021," MotoGP said in a statement.
There are 19 scheduled race weekends, starting with the 2021 Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar this Sunday.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Qatar has offered Covid-19 vaccinations to all members of the MotoGP paddock attending pre-season testing and the opening races.
"To ensure the health and safety of the entire tour while they are in Qatar and on their continued travels around the world this season, the Government of the State of Qatar has offered MotoGP access to Covid-19 vaccines," another statement read.
"All members of the Championship, including those working and travelling within the MotoGP paddock, will have the chance to be vaccinated against Covid-19."
Andrea Dovizioso, who is without a MotoGP ride for this season, is the defending champion in Qatar following his win for Ducati in 2019. Last season's race was cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns.
Spanish racer Joan Mir is the reigning world champion.
Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar, past five winners:
2020 - N/A (cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns)
2019 - Andrea Dovizioso
2018 - Andrea Dovizioso
2017 - Maverick Viñales
2016 - Jorge Lorenzo
2015 - Valentino Rossi
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