MotoGP 2008 Qatar Results

Casey Stoner got his 2008 title defense off to the best start possible with the Ducati Marlboro ace taking the checkers at Qatar. The historic nighttime race, the first in 60 years of Grand Prix racing, saw the Aussie claim victory after a battle with MotoGP rookie Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo and Stoner's old 250 rival, Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa. Another rookie, JiR Team Scot Honda's Andrea Dovizioso finished fourth, with Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi rounding out the Top 5.

Pedrosa motored out to an early lead under the bright lights, jumping up front with a quick start from Row 3. Stoner's Row 2 start was less inspiring and he turned the first lap in fifth-place, but the 2007 champ began to pick his way through the field, dispatching Rossi and, eventually, Lorenzo, although the impressive rookie held out until Lap 8.

Once out in front, it was business as usual for Stoner, checking out and finishing the race with a five-second advantage over Lorenzo.

"That was a fantastic race and I really enjoyed it - it was like being back in 125s!" said Stoner. "The first few laps were really hectic, there were guys bashing fairings and I just tried to stay out of the way. When I got my chance to get through I took it and from there I just focused on setting my pace. Jorge rode brilliantly - it wasn't an easy race by any means, especially at the start. Over the first few laps I was struggling a bit for grip but then the tires got up to temperature and improved. We knew we had a pretty good package for the race but obviously we couldn't be sure that things would go as well as that. I want to say thanks to everybody at Ducati for a great job, my team, the guys at Bridgestone... Thanks everybody."

The second place-finish for Lorenzo is a monumental result for the Yamaha rookie and current 250GP champion. The podium result for Pedrosa, also a former 250 champ, is the third consecutive season-opening podium for the Spaniard.

Lorenzo's fierce rival in 250s the past two years, Dovizioso also served notice that the rookie should be respected on the premier class grid. The satellite Honda rider not only almost snagged a podium and showed up factory Honda's Nicky Hayden, the young Italian also overtook none other than fellow countryman and living MotoGP deity, Rossi, during the final lap, stealing points right out from under The Doctor's nose.

For his part, at least Rossi was able to better the satellite, Michelin-shod Tech 3 Yamahas of James Toseland and Colin Edwards, who finished a respective sixth and seventh.

Loris Capirossi was eighth in his first race for the Rizla Suzuki team, with Capirex fairing better than his teammate, Chris Vermeulen, who finished outside the points in 17th due to technical problems with his GSV-R.

Ninth-fastest on the day, LCR Honda's Randy de Puniet finished one spot better than the factory RC212V-riding Hayden.

A definite disappointment compared to his dominating teammate, Marco Melandri could only muster 11th on the grid aboard his Ducati Marlboro GP8. Supermarco was one position better than American John Hopkins, who turned his first competitive laps with the Kawasaki ZX-RR.

San Carlo Gresini Honda's Shinya Nakano, finished 13th- the Japanese rider placing ahead of the Alice Ducatis and Kawasaki's Anthony West. Garnering the dreaded DNF was rookie Alex de Angelis aboard the second San Carlo Gresini Honda.

MotoGP Qatar Results:
1. Stoner (Ducati)
2. Lorenzo (Yamaha)
3. Pedrosa (Honda)
4. Dovizioso (Honda)
5. Rossi (Yamaha)
6. Toseland (Yamaha)
7. Edwards (Yamaha)
8. Capirossi (Suzuki)
9. De Puniet (Honda)
10. Hayden (Honda)
11. Melandri (Ducati)
12. Hopkins (Kawasaki)
13. Nakano (Honda)
14. Elias (Ducati)
15. Guinoli (Ducati)
16. West (Kawasaki)
17. Vermeulen (Suzuki)
DNF De Angelis (Honda)