Petrucci and Rins value to storm desert podium

Qatar Grand Prix BT Sport 2, 4pm Sunday

Johann Zarco smashed the Losail lap record in taking pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix. The Frenchman led the race convincingly last year on his premier-class debut before falling, and he may be disappointed again.

Testing results suggest Zarco's Tech-3 Yamaha will struggle to make its tyres last for the race distance and bookmakers are fairly dismissive.

They make last year's championship runner-up Andrea Dovizioso a strong favourite. The Italian starts fifth, but has set ominously quick times in race trim all weekend, as well as at the pre-season test at the circuit.

But at bigger odds, satellite Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci looks an each-way bet, having been on the pace all weekend and starting third on the grid. He qualified a whisker behind championship favourite Marc Marquez, who has often struggled in this night race.

Alex Rins is also worth an each-way interest at big odds. The Suzuki gradually improved throughout last season and Rins has looked strong in race trim with the new bike, which he has said is "100 times better" than last year's challenger.

Recommendations
D Petrucci
1pt each-way 10-1 bet365, BoyleSports
A Rins
1pt each-way 28-1 bet365

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