2010 MotoGP - Qatar Photo Gallery

Casey Stoner sets the pace in Qatar's practice sessions.

Rossi under the lights at Qatar - Qatar 2010

Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista looked good in the first free practice session and posted the seventh-fastest time.

Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rookie Ben Spies looks to make a name for himself in the premier motorcycle road racing league.

Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo finished the second free practice round in fifth.

Loris Capirossi was honored before the qualifying session for competing in his historic 300th GP race.

Will Valentino be able to break Stoner's stranglehold on the Qatar podium?

It is the third year in a row that the race on the Losail circuit has been contested under the lights.

Will Marlboro Ducati's Nicky Hayden be competitive this year on the formidable 1198? We're cheering for you, Nicky.

Nicky Hayden found his pace at Qatar, the Kentucky Kid nearly scoring apodium finish.

Casey Stoner's four-race winning streak fell apart when the Australian pitched his Ducati in the opening laps while leading the race and looking untouchable for the win.

Nicky Hayden ran a strong opening race for aboard his Ducati, just narrowly missing a podium finish.

Don't bet against Rossi for world title number 10 - Qatar 2010

Hiroshi Aoyama was the second-highest finishing rookie in the 2010 opener, placing 10th - Qatar 2010

Randy de Puniet showed up fellow Honda man Pedrosa with a sixth-place finish - Qatar 2010

Andrea Dovizioso is proving the more consistent Honda factory man of late - Qatar 2010

Former factory teammates, Edwards and Rossi share a laugh - Qatar 2010

Dani Pedrosa had a fantastic start on the factory Honda, but faded to seventh by the race's end - Qatar 2010

Shoya Tomizawa claimed the first ever Moto2 victory in GP history.

Colin Edwards' eighth-place finish put three American riders in the top eight at Qatar.

300 GPs for Loris Capirossi - Qatar 2010

Number 65, Loris Capirossi, had a special TLD paint job for GP number 300.

Troy Lee Designs paint scheme for Capirossi's 300th GP included 24-carat gold sheeting.

Alvaro Bautista - 2010 Qatar MotoGP

Loris Capirossi - 2010 Qatar MotoGP

Andrea Dovizioso & Nicky Hayden at the opening round at Qatar.

Andrea Dovizioso: "“I'm really happy about this podium - it's a great satisfaction. It was so important to begin the season with a good result and I hope this is just the start."

The MotoGP roster sits down for a family photo - Qatar 2010

Despite never having ridden under floodlights at night, Ben Spies was able to finish just over 0.2 seconds behind Casey Stoner during the night test.

Loris Capirossi celebrated his 300th GP under the lights at Qatar.

Ben Spies posted a best time of 1.55.954 for third-place on the timesheets at Qatar.

Ben Spies: "I know this track from last year but riding under the floodlights is definitely a bit different and nothing I've experienced before. The perception of speed is much faster with it being at night but I'm having a lot of fun.

Nicky Hayden - Qatar 2010

Casey Stoner: “We have always enjoyed great results in Qatar although the track isn’t one of my favorites as a rider. It was good that they changed the race from daytime to night because they’ve made it different to anything else – it’s interesting for the fans and it is good fun for us.”

Despite not liking his altered bike setup, Casey stoner was actually faster with it on Friday night's practice at Qatar

Jorge Lorenzo: "Today I had to disconnect my brain and just ride with my heart, and I am so happy about this second- place at Qatar. My hand was a bit sore but the bigger problem was the rear sliding, and early on with a full fuel tank I found it quite hard."

Jorge Lorenzo was able to overcome Hayden and Divizioso on the penultimate lap to secure a second-place finish at Qatar.

Loris Capirossi: "Overall I am quite happy with tonight’s qualifying, because after my crash yesterday we struggled a bit in the earlier practice, but at the end of the session we tried something different and in the qualifying it seemed to work well."

MotoGP riders gather at Round 1 of the 2010 MotoGP season for a group photo at Qatar.

Nicky Hayden - Qatar 2010

Nicky Hayden took fourth in the opening round at Qatar, missing a podium finish by 0.011 seconds.

Qatar underneath the floodlights.

Valentino Rossi: "It's a fantastic result for the team to make a one-two at Race 1. It's especially good to win here because it doesn't suit our bike, we worked very cleverly throughout the practices and this is the reward, so thanks to all my guys."

Valentino Rossi was able to get an excellent start from second on the grid and led the race after the first lap.

Valentino Rossi at Qatar during the opening round of the MotoGP season.

Valentino Rossi and team-mate Jorge Lorenzo stand on the podium at Round 1 of the 2010 MotoGP Championship.

2010 MotoGP - Qatar Photo Gallery

See photos of the 2010 Qatar Grand Prix in the 2010 MotoGP Qatar photo gallery.