Fernandez takes Qatar podium despite hand injury

Raul Fernandez secured a third-place finish in Qatar, a few weeks after a crash and podium in Indonesia. The Trackhouse Racing rider started from the second row and chased Marco Bezzecchi, but was passed by Marc Marquez with three laps to go, which left him with a bittersweet result.

Fernandez said he had not expected to be fighting for the podium, as his goal had been to assess how his fingers were holding up after his right-hand injury. He admitted to frustration over fuel management early in the race, after he struggled to follow Bezzecchi and started to run short on fuel after six or seven laps.

Fernandez said he hopes to stay in contention until the end of the season and to battle Marquez to the finish, with the Spaniard also noting that the pain in his hand returned after the race.