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2021 MotoGP™ season: 5 things to know
2021 MotoGP™ season: 5 things to know
As the engines are fired up for the opening race of the year, live on BT Sport, here’s your quick-look guide to what lies ahead
By Virgin TV Edit
Full-throttled action featuring the best riders in the world? It can only mean one thing: MotoGP is ready to rock your world with a brand new season of drama.
Every race is exclusively live on BT Sport and the Virgin TV Go app this season, which means you can follow every thrilling overtake, hazardous corner and mad dash for the chequered flag as they happen.
Ready for the big return of MotoGP? To get you in the mood ahead of this weekend’s opening race in Qatar, here are five things you need to know about the campaign…
1. Marc Márquez won’t be racing just yet
Six-time champion Marc Márquez won’t feature in the season’s first two races as he recovers from the shoulder injury that kept him out for pretty much the whole of 2020. This gives the rest of the chasing pack a chance to get some vital points on the board early, but you can guarantee the Spaniard will be raring to go when he returns to the grid. This is one of the all-time greats we’re talking about after all.
2. It could be the most unpredictable season ever
Not only does Márquez’s absence throw everything up in the air, the dangerous Andrea Dovizioso won’t be racing at all due to his year-long sabbatical. A shortened programme of pre-season testing also means the teams have limited performance data to work with ahead of the 2021 campaign. There are lots of unknowns to consider this season – and that’s a very good thing if you like your motorsport served with a generous side helping of surprise.
3. Meet the defending champion
It might seem odd to introduce you to the reigning MotoGP champ, but last season was odd in itself. With Marc Márquez sidelined, 23-year-old Joan Mir took advantage to seal his maiden world title. And he did it by winning just one race. Picking up more podium finishes than any other rider to clinch the crown in 2020, it will be fascinating to see how the Team Suzuki Ecstar racer handles the pressure this year.
4. It’s all change at Yamaha
A few teams have changed their riders in the off-season, with the most significant moves coming over at Yamaha. Young Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, who won the first two races of 2020, will ride for their factory outfit following his exit from the Petronas Yamaha team. Quartararo replaces the legendary Valentino Rossi, who has gone the other way and joined Petronas Yamaha. The Italian’s 15th-placed finish in 2020 was his lowest ever in the MotoGP standings.
5. Every moment is live on BT Sport
BT Sport is the home of MotoGP once again this season, with every practice session, qualifier and race exclusively live. Can’t get near the telly when the action is on? Then fire up the Virgin TV Go app – which is available to Virgin TV customers at no extra cost – and follow the drama live on your device.
Speaking of every race showing live and exclusive on BT Sport this season, here’s your guide to everything that’s heading your way…
MotoGP on TV – 2021 race calendar
MotoGP Qatar
Sunday 28 March, 2.15pm, BT Sport 2 HD (CH 528)
MotoGP Doha
Sunday 4 April, 2.15pm, BT Sport 2 HD (CH 528)
MotoGP Portugal
Sunday 18 April, 10.30am, BT Sport 2 HD (CH 528)
MotoGP Spain
Sunday 2 May, BT Sport
MotoGP France
Sunday 16 May, BT Sport
MotoGP Italy
Sunday 30 May, BT Sport
MotoGP Catalunya
Sunday 6 June, BT Sport
MotoGP Germany
Sunday 20 June, BT Sport
MotoGP Assen
Sunday 27 June, BT Sport
MotoGP Finland
Sunday 11 July, BT Sport
MotoGP Austria
Sunday 15 August, BT Sport
MotoGP Great Britain
Sunday 29 August, BT Sport
MotoGP Aragón
Sunday 12 September, BT Sport
MotoGP San Marino
Sunday 19 September, BT Sport
MotoGP Japan
Sunday 3 October, BT Sport
MotoGP Thailand
Sunday 10 October, BT Sport
MotoGP Australia
Sunday 24 October, BT Sport
MotoGP Malaysia
Sunday 31 October, BT Sport
MotoGP Valencia
Sunday 14 November, BT Sport
When is the Grand Prix Of Qatar on TV?
Coverage of the first race of the 2021 MotoGP season starts at 2.15pm on Sunday 28 March on BT Sport 2 HD (CH 528).
Don’t have BT Sport?
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Not heard about Virgin TV Go?
Don’t let anything get in between you and your essential viewing with Virgin TV Go. With loads of sport and Box Sets to try out, you’ll always be entertained wherever you are!
The app is available to all Virgin TV customers at no extra cost and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows 10 and PC/Mac. Get downloading (from the links below) and you’ll be one step closer to watching what you want, when you want.
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