The opening round of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship (FIM GP WC) for the 2024 season took place at the Qatar Lusail International Circuit from March 8-10.
A significant change this year in both Moto3 and Moto2 categories is the switch from Dunlop to Pirelli tires, which led to immediate speed records being shattered at Lusail. In Moto3, the lap time dropped from 2 minutes and 4 seconds in 2021 to an impressive 2 minutes and 2.276 seconds; Moto2’s record also improved from 1 minute and 57.305 seconds to 1 minute and 56.788 seconds.
For the 2024 season, two Chinese motorcycle manufacturers continue their participation: CFMoto, in partnership with Spanish team Aspar, competes in both Moto3 and Moto2, while QJMOTOR collaborates with Italian Gresini for the Moto2 category.
In Moto3, CFMoto-Aspar fielded Joel Esteban (78) from Spain and David Alonso (80) from Colombia. Despite being in the leading group throughout the 16-lap race, Alonso emerged victorious in a thrilling finish, securing his fifth Moto3 race win and China’s first triumph in the WGP championship. Esteban finished eleventh, earning points.
In Moto2, QJMOTOR-Gresini fielded Manuel Gonzalez (18) and Albert Arenas (75) from Spain, with CFMoto-Aspar’s entry being Izan Guevara (28) also from Spain. Both Arenas and Guevara have world championship titles – Arenas as the 2020 Moto3 champion and Guevara the 2022 Moto3 titleholder, both while riding for Aspar.
In the Q2 qualifying session, Arenas claimed third place and started from the front row for QJMOTOR-Gresini, with Gonzalez in fourth. Guevara began from ninth. Gonzalez, who opted for the softer Pirelli SC0 compound, secured fifth place, with all top five riders choosing the SC0. Arenas, using the SC1 medium-hard compound, finished eighth. Unfortunately, Guevara was forced out of the race due to mechanical issues.
