Portugal Colonial - Bastianini claims emotional season-opening win at Qatar MotoGP

The Italian, in his second season in the elite, took first place ahead of South African Brad Binder on a KTM with Spaniard Pol Espargaro of Honda third after leading for most of the race.

"I think now it's incredible," said Bastianini, the Moto2 champion in 2020 who rejoined Gresini Racing this season after beginning his career with the team in Moto3.

"At the end Pol was really close to me. I understood that now I could try to win the race, and I overtook Pol on the first corner after he went out."

Bastianini paid tribute to the team's founder Fausto Gresini, a double 125cc world champion in the 1980s who passed away at the age of 60.

"I dedicate this victory to Fausto. He pushed me a lot from the skies, and it's fantastic for all the team. I think we've all been crying."

Bastianini started second on his Ducati but took control of the race from Espargaro with four laps remaining, improving on a couple of third-place finishes from his debut season.

Aleix Espargaro on an Aprilia was fourth ahead of Honda's six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez, whose past two seasons have been derailed by injuries.

Suzuki duo Joan Mir and Alex Rins failed to replicate their success from Saturday's practice, crossing the line in sixth and seventh respectively.

Reigning champion Fabio Quartararo of France finished ninth after a challenging weekend on his Yamaha.

Francesco Bagnaia, who came second behind Quartararo last year, crashed his Ducati on lap 12 and took out poleman Jorge Martin's Pramac Ducati.

Celestino Vietti of Kalex won the Moto2 race following Andrea Migno's Moto3 victory on his Honda.

This weekend's Grand Prix was the first of a record 21-race season climaxing in Valencia, Spain, on November 6. The next race is scheduled for March 20 in Indonesia.

F.Moura--PC