Win for Stoner in Qatar Monday night race

The re-scheduled first MotoGP race of 2009 saw Casey Stoner take victory at the Commercial bank Grand Prix of Qatar.

As the action in the premier class of the 2009 FIM MotoGP World Championship finally got underway, at the spectacular Losail International Circuit on Monday night, it was Casey Stoner who took the headlines, completing a hat-trick of season-opening wins in Qatar.

Following the exceptional postponement of the opening MotoGP contest of the year due to rain in the Arabian desert, Monday evening witnessed the first race in the new single tyre supplier era, but it was a familiar story with Stoner crossing the line first, ahead of World Champion Valentino Rossi.

A ruthless Stoner took the holeshot from pole and had built up a two second gap at the end of the first lap. The 2007 World Champion’s victory never looked in serious doubt as he controlled the race from the front, having been the fastest rider in every session over the weekend. Stoner’s winning margin was more than seven seconds at the end of a brilliant performance, casting aside any doubts about his fitness after winter surgery on his left wrist.

Completing the podium behind the front two was Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha colleague Jorge Lorenzo repeating his rostrum result from his MotoGP debut in the opening race of 2008, in his first race on Bridgestone tyres.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Colin Edwards started his seventh season in MotoGP riding solidly from sixth on the grid to finish fourth on his own Bridgestone debut, making it three Yamahas in the top four.

Also on new tyres and with a new factory bike Repsol Honda’s 2009 signing Andrea Dovizioso was fifth, fading slightly in the second half of the race having run in third place for several laps.

There was a good performance from Alex de Angelis, crossing the line sixth having qualified ninth at the start of his second year with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team. Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen also made a decent start to the year with his improved GSV-R machine in seventh.

An excellent MotoGP debut from satellite Ducati rider Mika Kallio, meanwhile, saw him end up as the best placed rookie in eighth for the new look Pramac Racing outfit.

On factory machinery and returning to the Honda Gresini team this year, Toni Elías may be disappointed not to have done better than ninth, whilst Frenchman Randy de Puniet brought the satellite LCR Honda RC212V home three seconds behind the Spaniard to complete the top ten.

Dani Pedrosa, riding with knee and wrist injuries, battled through the pain barrier to pick up some important points in eleventh spot. On his Ducati debut, Pedrosa’s former team-mate Nicky Hayden also did well to complete the race in twelfth, given the back and chest injuries he suffered in a huge highside crash in qualifying on Saturday. The brave 2006 World Champion even set his best time on the last lap.

Sete Gibernau finished 13th on his MotoGP comeback with the satellite Ducati Grupo Francisco Hernando team, unable to push into the top ten due to his ongoing shoulder injury.

Marco Melandri made his first appearance for the Hayate Racing Team and ran off track early on but battled back well to finish in the points in 14th.

Commencing his 20th Grand Prix season Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi crashed out on lap eight and was unable to rejoin the race.

After a weekend off the MotoGP riders next reconvene at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan for round two, which takes place at the Motegi circuit from 24th-26th April.

Stoner questions Qatar restart

Australia's Casey Stoner has questioned the decision to run the season-opening Qatar MotoGP race a day after it was washed out.

The race, due to have begun on Sunday night, was re-scheduled for 9pm Monday local time (2am Tuesday Perth time) after it was cancelled when torrential rain fell just minutes before the start.

Stoner had dominated all practice and qualifying sessions on his Ducati and had been set to start the race from pole position.

But officials had no choice but to cancel the race, leading to an organisational headache and massive extra costs in a sport desperate to save money.

"It's just unlucky with the weather,'' said Stoner, the 2007 world champion, who was bidding for a third successive win in Qatar.

"It can be a good idea or it can be a bad idea to race on Monday. A lot of money has been spent on keeping people here at a time when we are trying to cut costs.

"It's disappointing it's happened like this.''

"We wait six months for the first race of the season. But when you decide to have a night race, it's risky. No-one expected these conditions in Qatar."

Circuit organisers were preparing to use three special machines to clear the track of excess water throughout the day.

Casey Stoner's Profile

• Bike No.: 27
• Born: October 16, 1985
• Place of Birth: Kurri-Kurri (Australia)
• Nationality: Australia
• Height: 171 m
• Weight: 58 kg
• Team: Ducati Marlboro Team

Background

Young Casey tested his skills among the best riders in the world. He finished 12th in the standings, leaving plenty of room for improvement. Yet, you still have to give him credit for finishing just outside the top 10 in this ultra competitive series.

Stoner had an eventful rookie campaign in 2006. During the early rounds, it looks like Stoner just might eclipse Pedrosa as Rookie of the Year. His season included a second-place podium finish and a pole-position victory. That was the good news. The bad news came when Stoner developed a penchant for crashing his LCR Honda machinery. Stoner's DNFs didn't stop him from finishing a very respectable eighth in the title chase, however.

Casey Stoner has appeared unstoppable, taking the 2007 title in dominating fashion. employer overseeing his development, having switched from the LCR Honda/Michelin combo to his current factory Ducati/Bridgestone ride. Aside from stepping up to full factory status, Stoner should benefit under the tutelage of a veteran teammate like Capirossi, whereas he went solo during his rookie season. If a year's worth of experience turns the right switch under the helmet, Stoner made the jump to contender status in 2007.

In fact, with his Ducati and Bridgestone combination, the talented Aussie decimated the competition en route to the '08 title. Stoner even made Valentino Rossi look inept. An unthinkable situation heading into the '09 season.


Career Highlights:

• 2008: 2nd, MotoGP World Championship
• 2007: MotoGP World Championship
• 2006: 8th MotoGP Series
• 2005: 2nd 250 MotoGP Series
• 2004: 5th 125 MotoGP Series
• 2003: 8th, 125 MotoGP Series
• 2002: 12th,250 MotoGP Series
• 2001: 29th, 125 MotoGP Series

Nicky Hayden's Profile

• Bike No.: 69
• Born: July 30, 1981
• Birth place: Owensboro, Kentucky
• Nationality: United States
• Residence: Owensboro, Kentucky
• Team: Ducati Marlboro Team
• World Superbike Debut: 2002
• Grand Prix Debut: 2003

Background

Nicky Hayden was the young gun of the AMA Superbike series. Don't think for a minute that this good natured, always smiling kid from Kentucky doesnt have the heart of a winner. Winning is what Nicky is all about. Check out the Nicky Hayden Interview for a look inside the mind of Americas rising star. In his first full season as a Superbike rider he came within six points of winning the title losing out to arch rival Mat Mladin. 1999 was a great year for him though, he won the 600 Supersport title and was named AMA Athlete of the Year. Nicky is one of three Hayden brothers racing in the AMA and growing up together they pushed one another to become fierce competitors. Nicky does not neglect his roots either he can often be found racing Flat Track during weekends which the AMA series is off. Thats dedication.

After three seasons in MotoGP, Nicky picked up his first career win at the USGP at Laguna Seca. In front of his hometown fans Nicky dominated, led every lap and won the hearts of many a GP fan across the globe.

For 2006 the Kentucky Kid did one better, he claimed the checkers at Laguna again, but also netted the MotoGP title. To earn the championship, Hayden exhibited consistency and determination, overcoming a devastating DNF at Estoril, courtesy of his Repsol Honda team mate, Dani Pedrosa.

Going into 2007, the reigning champ had a new 800cc V-4 RC212V at his command. He also had a two-year contract with the factory Honda team, but Nick the Quick was under the gun to deliver another title and couldn't deliver. Now Hayden is ready for yet another year aboard the Honda, but can he regain his title-winning form?

Career Highlights:

• 2007: 8th MotoGP
• 2006: MotoGP Champion
• 2005: 3rd MotoGP
• 2004: 8th MotoGP
• 2003: 5th MotoGP
• 2003: MotoGP Rookie of the Year
• 2002: AMA Superbike Champion
• 2001: 3rd AMA Superbike
• 2000: 2nd AMA Superbike
• 2000: 4th AMA Supersport
• 1999: AMA Supersport Champion
• 1999: 2nd AMA Formula Xtreme
• 1999: AMA Grand National Dirt Track Rookie of the Year
• 1999: AMA/Speedvision Pro Athlete of the Year
• 1998: 4th AMA 600 SuperSport Series
• 1998: 4th AMA 750 SuperSport Series