There will always be something special about MotoGP racing under the floodlights in Qatar – the atmosphere it creates, and the way the bikes somehow look even more brilliant. But when I was creating the categories for the Weekend Review, I (sadly) neglected to include a category for “bike aesthetic”.

Here’s a reminder of the categories that I did create – Rider of the Weekend (not necessarily the rider who left the weekend with the most points, but somebody who really impressed), Most Improved (either throughout the course of the weekend, from one weekend to another, or perhaps over a longer period of time), Best Overtake (this one feels obvious), Head-in-Hands Moment (a moment from either the Sprint or the Sunday race that left me shouting “NO!” at the screen), and Best in Show (the overall best rider from the weekend).

Rider of the Weekend: This accolade absolutely belongs to Maverick Viñales for his performance over the weekend. I’d reached the point of wondering if we were going to ever see a KTM fighting for a podium during the 2025 MotoGP season, so to see him leading the race at one point was absolutely fantastic. The tyre pressure penalty is obviously a huge shame, but his performance over the weekend is still a great sign for him, for the team, and for KTM.

Most Improved: Following from the above, I have to say Red Bull KTM Tech 3 – with Viñales achieving a podium and Bastianini not too far from the top 10. I’m not holding my breath that this form will continue, but it’s nice to see.

Best Overtake: This is a very KTM-heavy review, but I think it’s well-deserved. My jaw dropped watching Maverick Viñales overtake Franky Morbidelli’s Ducati on the straight during Sunday’s race. Although it became clear later on that Morbidelli had overcooked his tyres, this didn’t strip the overtake of its significance.

Head-in-Hands Moment: Jorge Martin’s weekend in Qatar started positively – although clearly in pain, and of course on a bike still relatively new to him, he was posting times in practice sessions that weren’t to be frowned at all things considered. Coming back to the paddock following injuries is always going to be tough, especially when those injuries were sustained before the season had even started, and you’re therefore quite far behind your peers. The last thing you need, physically and psychologically, is another injury. Unfortunately Jorge Martin’s crash during Lap 14 of Sunday’s race has meant he will be missing further races as he recovers from several broken ribs, and a punctured lung. I join everyone in the MotoGP community when I say I hope Jorge Martin makes a smooth and full recovery from his injuries.

Best in Show: How many times I’m going to be writing Marc Marquez for this section, during this season? It’s hard to argue against it when he’s yet again qualified on pole, and won both the Sprint and the Sunday race. Marc is now back leading the championship, and I’m curious to see whether anybody will be able to take that spot away from him now.