Source: MotoGP.

Mahindra Racing’s Arthur Sissis was forced to sit out the opening round of the Moto3 World Championship after tonsillitis took its toll ahead of the first race of the season.

Sissis qualified well off the pace in 29th after struggling through much of the weekend, before it was decided that he sit out the Losail race won by countryman Jack Miller.

“The bike felt good, the rider not,” Sissis said. “I tried in warm up, but I could only do four or five laps at a not very fast speed, and after that I couldn’t concentrate any more.

“I had tonsillitis and I’ve been taking a real lot of pills. I’m gutted not to ride, but there was no point in battling on for 18 laps for the last positions. I’m looking forward to the next one now.”

Aside from Sissis’ misfortune, teammate Miguel Oliveira showed speed on his way to fourth, just 0.015s out of a podium position.