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Moto GP: A bridge between Real & Barca
The rivalry between Spanish football giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona runs deep. If there's one thing that runs deeper it's the pockets of an Arab sheik. Rohit Bhaskar reports.
The rivalry between Spanish football giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona runs deep. If there's one thing that runs deeper it's the pockets of an Arab sheik.
How else could you explain Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos showing up for the season opening Qatar MotoGP, a day before Los Blancos match against Valencia no less, with crown prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, whose family run the Qatar Foundation - Barcelona's shirt sponsors.
Barcelona signed a £125 million deal with the Qatar Foundation to emblazon their logo on their famed burgundy and blue colours and even got Barca coach Pep Guardiola as the brand ambassador of Qatar's successful bid to stage the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The meringue white jersey of Real Madrid won't sport a Qatar Foundation logo anytime soon, but there's at least one Real player who will sing their praises.
Slow start for Mahindra
Mahindra had a standout performance in the last race of their first season in the 125cc, with Danny Webb securing pole position in the season-ending Valencia round.
However, they couldn't carry on from where they left off as their two riders Marcel Schrotter and Danny Webb could only qualify in the 23 and 25 spot respectively.
In the first race of the new Moto3 class, whose four-stroke 250cc engines have replaced the 125cc two-stroke engines used till last year.
The writer's trip has been sponsored by Mahindra Racing
