Reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner began his title defence in style with victory in the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar – the first ever MotoGP night race – ahead of Spaniards Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.
The Ducati Marlboro rider started the race off the front row for the first time in his MotoGP career, chasing a repeat of his debut premier class victory from last year. Stoner didn't have things all his way in the early going, but held off challenges from some of the favourites for the 2008 crown to win by over five seconds from Lorenzo.
Behind the Australian, Fiat Yamaha rider and reigning 250cc World Champion Lorenzo followed up on his spectacular Saturday pole with a jaw-dropping debut MotoGP race. The Spaniard showed no fear in the face of a field packed with racewinners, joining Stoner in breaking away from the pack to take a maiden podium at his very first attempt.
Finishing standings are as follows:
1 Casey Stoner Ducati MotoGP 42:36.587
2 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory 42:41.910
3 Daniel Pedrosa Honda HRC 42:47.187
4 Andrea Dovizioso Honda Scot 42:49.875
5 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Factory 42:49.892
6 James Toseland Yamaha Tech3 42:50.627
7 Colin Edwards Yamaha Tech3 42:51.737
8 Loris Capirossi Suzuki MotoGP 43:09.092
9 Randy De Puniet Honda LCR 43:09.590
10 Nicky Hayden Honda HRC 43:14.941
11 Marco Melandri Ducati MotoGP 43:20.871
12 John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing 43:26.444
13 Shinya Nakano Honda Gresini 42:26.458
14 Antonio Elias Ducati d Antin 43:35.119
15 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati d Antin 43:35.517
16 Anthony West Kawasaki Racing 43:42.230
17 Chris Vermulen Suzuki MotoGP 43:42.230
18 Alex De Angelis Honda Gresini 0:00.000
The Ducati Marlboro rider started the race off the front row for the first time in his MotoGP career, chasing a repeat of his debut premier class victory from last year. Stoner didn't have things all his way in the early going, but held off challenges from some of the favourites for the 2008 crown to win by over five seconds from Lorenzo.
Behind the Australian, Fiat Yamaha rider and reigning 250cc World Champion Lorenzo followed up on his spectacular Saturday pole with a jaw-dropping debut MotoGP race. The Spaniard showed no fear in the face of a field packed with racewinners, joining Stoner in breaking away from the pack to take a maiden podium at his very first attempt.
Finishing standings are as follows:
1 Casey Stoner Ducati MotoGP 42:36.587
2 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory 42:41.910
3 Daniel Pedrosa Honda HRC 42:47.187
4 Andrea Dovizioso Honda Scot 42:49.875
5 Valentino Rossi Yamaha Factory 42:49.892
6 James Toseland Yamaha Tech3 42:50.627
7 Colin Edwards Yamaha Tech3 42:51.737
8 Loris Capirossi Suzuki MotoGP 43:09.092
9 Randy De Puniet Honda LCR 43:09.590
10 Nicky Hayden Honda HRC 43:14.941
11 Marco Melandri Ducati MotoGP 43:20.871
12 John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing 43:26.444
13 Shinya Nakano Honda Gresini 42:26.458
14 Antonio Elias Ducati d Antin 43:35.119
15 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati d Antin 43:35.517
16 Anthony West Kawasaki Racing 43:42.230
17 Chris Vermulen Suzuki MotoGP 43:42.230
18 Alex De Angelis Honda Gresini 0:00.000
