Here is the thing about the Lusail International Circuit: under the floodlights, it simply delivers. As MotoGP rolls into Round 20 for a potential title-deciding weekend, it is worth looking back at the absolute classics this desert track has gifted us over the years.
Back in 2005, just a year after the circuit joined the calendar, Valentino Rossi and Marco Melandri put on a show. In a season dominated by Rossi with Yamaha, Melandri made a bold lunge on the final lap into Turn 12. He ran wide, though, missing out on a maiden premier-class win as Rossi edged closer to his fifth MotoGP title by taking his 10th Grand Prix victory of the year.
The year 2013 brought a generational shift with Marc Marquez making his premier-class debut. While defending champion Jorge Lorenzo took the Grand Prix victory for Yamaha, Marquez found himself scrapping with none other than Valentino Rossi, who was back on a Yamaha in search of an eighth MotoGP title. An early mistake dropped Rossi down the order, but he clawed his way back to fight Marquez for second place, ultimately coming out on top.
Roles reversed in 2014 when Marquez and Rossi squared off for the actual win under the lights. The pair swapped paint repeatedly in the dying stages, trading places four times with two laps to go. Rossi launched a bold attempt at Turn 10, but Marquez held firm to claim victory and kick off a 10-race winning streak.
Then came the classic duel era between Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso, starting in 2018. Dovizioso led into the final two laps with Marquez hungry for his first Lusail win since 2014, while Rossi sat close behind in third place. Down to the final corner, Marquez dived to the inside, ran wide, and allowed Dovizioso to calmly retake the lead and claim the championship lead.
Script repeated in 2019, with Dovizioso and Ducati once again leading Marquez and Honda through the final lap. Marquez tried an overtake at Turn 10, looked at Turn 12, and ultimately made a desperate late move at the final corner. Just like 12 months prior, he ran wide, leaving Dovizioso free to sprint to the line and take another breathless Qatar victory.
Beyond these duels, Lusail has also played host to first-ever MotoGP victories for Casey Stoner, Enea Bastianini, and Fabio Di Giannantonio. Now, with title hopes on the line, the stage is set for more memories this weekend.
MotoGP
MotoGP
