Sam Lowes’ dream of a debut Moto2 win at today’s Qatar MotoGP round ended just four laps in when he went wide on to the dirty part of the track and crashed out, handing a Johann Zarco a clear path to the win after the pair had pulled a four-second gap
But Zarco had problems of his own. While investigating a gearbox problem on the front straight, the Frenchman was looking down the left-hand side of his Ajo Kalex and veered across the track, almost hitting the pitwall.
It appeared that Zarco’s ‘box had stuck in one gear and he was gradually caught and passed by eventual winner Jonas Folger who was joined on the podium by Xavier Simeon and Thomas Luthi. Reigning champion Tito Rabat also crashed out after tangling with Simone Corsi.
