Defending MXGP world champion Tim Gajser has taken pole position in Qatar at round one of the 2017 MXGP World Championship.

Team Honda HRC’s Gajser took the hole-shot and that’s where he remained, edging out legendary Italian Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM) by just 0.617s.

Behind them came Gautier Paulin in his first Rockstar Energy Husqvarna appearance, with Evgeny Bobryshev (Team Honda HRC) and Jeremy Van Horebeek (Wilvo Yamaha) rounding out the top five.

In MX2 it was Red Bull KTM’s Pauls Jonass who fired the first shot, holding out Benoit Paturel (Kemea Yamaha) and Jeremy Seewer (Team Suzuki World MX2).

Top of the Australians was Seewer’s factory Suzuki teammate Hunter Lawrence in fifth, behind fourth-placed Jorge Prado Garcia (Red Bull KTM). The teenager was impressive on debut and already appears to be making an impact at the world level.

Last night’s heats also marked the world championship debuts of Jay Wilson (iFly JK Yamaha), crossing the line 22nd, while and Caleb Ward (8Biano Racing Husqvarna), who was 26th.