Racing Team Germany, RAVENOL’s new partner in the Motorcycle World Championship Grand Prix (Moto 3), celebrated a sensational season debut in Doha/Qatar, which was crowned with a win by Frenchman Alexis Masbou (Honda). His British teammate, John McPhee, finished in a strong fifth position. On Saturday, both riders had been very successful in qualifying. Masbou started from pole position, McPhee from fifth on the grid.

Victory for SAXOPRINT RTG

This evening, spectators were treated to a race at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, which could not have been any more exciting. After SAXOPRINT Racing Team Germany had been able to celebrate Alexis Masbou qualifying in pole position yesterday, there was yet more reason to celebrate today. A win for Alexis, and a 5th position finish for John McPhee.
Both riders got into the race well. Alex stayed at the head of the race and John made up a position immediately.
A leading group of 11 riders quickly formed. Positions changed frequently and a hard fought battle was drawn out for the first positions. Efren Vazquez held the lead for quite some time. However, other drivers, such as Binder, Kent, Bastianini and Bagnaia had not come here to play, they were here to win.
In the course of the race, both John and Alexis fell further and further back. Six laps before the finish the pair of SAXOPRINT RTG riders were far back in positions 10 and 12.
And again it was in the last lap that Alexis did the unthinkable. He managed to overtake all riders in front of him and rode to the first victory of this season.
John rounded of the day perfectly for SAXOPRINT RTG, when he shot in the last second from 10th position up to 5th; just missing the podium. A spectacular start to the new racing season.
Now comes a break for two weeks and then on to Texas and Argentina.

John McPhee (rider):

"I am really happy with the first result of the season. Top 5 is a good position to start the season. And also it is a good team result as the other rider won the race. It was a difficult race for me. I did not manage the bike as good as I wanted. But at the end it is a very good result and I am very happy."

Alexis Masbou (rider):
"I started from the pole position and was first on the first corner. I rode on the front for the first laps. The race was quite difficult because there were a lot of riders fighting. I wanted to save my tires for the end of the race. For the five last laps I was trying to go back to the front to keep my chance to win the race. But finally I made a very fast lap and could pass all the other riders. It is perfect."

Dirk Heidolf (Team Director):
“I am more than happy with the race. It really has to be said. 1st and 5th position is a great start. Ridiculously great. I am speechless. After such a good qualifying, now these great finishes. Let’s hope there’s more of this to come.”