RAMPANT ROSSI ROARS TO WIN IN QATAR!

Reigning World Moto GP Champion, Valentino Rossi, raced to victory in the first round of the inaugural Moto GP Championship. It was a Fiat Yamaha one- two as his team-mate, Jorge Lorenzo finished second, whilst Italian Andrea Dovizioso took third on the Repsol Honda.

Losail Circuit was the venue for the eagerly awaited series to return and the fans were treated to a spectacular race. Racing in the desert, the race last year had to be cancelled for freakish monsoon conditions, but this year the weather stayed perfect and the race took place at night time, adding to the colour and occasion.

Australia’s Casey Stoner on the red Ducati, appeared favourite to secure the win. He set a blistering pole position time on Saturday on a track he has dominated in the past. This weekend was expected to be all about the man on the number 27 bike and after a few laps he was pulling away into the lead, looking like a forgone conclusion of a win in the opening round.

However, Stoner slid off into the gravel on lap five of the 22 lap race, under pressure from a chasing Rossi. This wasn’t the first time Stoner has fallen whilst in front. Stoner is undeniably one of the fastest men in Moto GP but it was a sorry start to this season’s campaign when it was his race to lose. His pace had been pulverising those behind him and he had just recorded the fastest time before his race came to an untimely end.

A disappointed Stoner said, “Once I got to the front I started to get into my rhythm but I lost the front end a couple of times in long corners so I made the decision to try to ride a bit smoother and not put so much pressure on the front tyre with the full tank. Unfortunately that is what led to the crash because looking at the telemetry I didn’t have enough load on the front, so I guess in hindsight I should have stuck to the way I’d been riding all weekend. It’s my mistake and I apologise to the team because we’d done a great job this weekend and we leave empty handed.”

His loss was Rossi’s gain, as he then took control of the race. Dovizioso and Stoner’s team-mate Nicky Hayden, were then locked in a titanic battle for second place, which went to the wire. ‘Dovi’ had massive speed down the straight and with the advantage he had, he managed to remind Rossi he wasn’t going to have everything in his own way. Dovi overtook Rossi, only for ‘Vale’ to retake the lead. It certainly gave the number 46 bike the hurry up, as then Rossi delivered several faster laps in succession to build a larger gap.

It was the first time since 2005 that Rossi has won the opening race of the calendar and this will be an ominous sign to his rivals. Rossi enthused, “These 25 points at this stage are like gold dust, it's a fantastic result for the team to make a one-two at race one. Stoner was quite far ahead of me, I thought then that it was going to be hard to catch him!” explained Rossi. “Then he made a mistake and crashed, which was bad luck for him but crucial for us.”

Rossi’s team-mate Jorge Lorenzo had appeared to be having a lonely race in fourth position after making a bad start and suffering with a broken bone in his right hand from a crash a few months ago. Many doubted the Spaniard’s fitness, how would he manage in full race conditions? The number 99 rode a cautious first half of the race but then Lorenzo seemed to come alive with around seven laps left when he started setting fastest laps, reeling in the fighting duo of Dovi and Hayden. With two laps left, he passed the Ducati and then sent Dovi out wide to grab second place. A superb fight back from the injured Lorenzo who had appeared to be struggling after qualifying. “Today I had to disconnect my brain and just ride with my heart, and I am so happy about this second place,” said an overjoyed Lorenzo. “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. My plan was to take it quietly and not risk too much, but after a while the adrenalin built up and I couldn't do that, I had to ride at the maximum!”

Whilst Lorenzo’s joy was clear for all to see after the race, celebrating his 20 point finish as if it was a win, Hayden must have considered himself the unluckiest guy on the track. Losing a precious finish on the rostrum, as on the last lap he managed to find a way past Dovi’s number 4 bike, only for Dovi to steal the final podium place from him as he rocketed passed him on the straight, taking the chequered flag ahead of him in a photo finish for third. The difference between the two was just one hundredth of a second, absolutely breathtaking!

It was only the third time in Dovi’s career that he had achieved a podium in the Moto GP class, so he was understandably overjoyed with what was one of the best races of his career. There had been many changes for the Italian over the winter including a new crew chief and after the first race and winter testing, he seems to have the upper hand on his more illustrious team-mate.

Dovi’s teamate, Dani Pedosa would not be one man smiling after a race of mixed emotions. Pedrosa made an incredible start and jumped up six places to take the lead into the first corner. He initially battled with Stoner and Rossi and looked in excellent form and set for a podium. His pace didn’t continue though and he fell into the clutches of the current World Superbike Champion, Ben Spies and LCR Honda’s, Randy De Puniet who both finished ahead of Pedrosa. It was a disappointing start for Pedrosa to finish in a lowly seventh by his standards. Over the winter, he had changed his race number from three back to 26. Perhaps, not a good luck charm for him!

Ducati were another team with no luck and had a bad day at the office. With the demise of Stoner, Hayden who eventually lost his shot at the podium, the two Pramac Ducati boys of Mika Kallio and Aleix Espargaro both left the race early with the Finn suffering a crash and the latter mechanical gremlins. Perhaps their new colour scheme of lime green should be reconsidered!

One man reaching a marvellous milestone was the likeable Italian, Loris Capirossi. Starting in his 300th race, for which he marked with a 24 carrot gold helmet design and 300 on the front of his bike. At 37, he proves there is life in the elder statesmen of the pack and finished with a solid ninth place result after duelling with Colin Edwards. It was a sad end to Alvaro Bautista’s Moto GP debut, when he crashed out on the final corner of the last lap after a battle with his 250cc arch rival Marco Simonchelli. Rookie of the day went to Hiroshi Aoyama with 10th place ahead of his bitter rivals from last season.

My Rider of the Day: Jorge Lorenzo. The boy is unlucky when it comes to injuries but he can turn the magic on and produce the goods despite the pain and the awkwardness of the broken bone/stitches. His last few laps when passing Dovi and Hayden showed remarkable confidence and pace and I believe a fully fit Jorge (if there ever is such one!) can really take the challenge to Rossi again this season. He has a new manager and despite limited testing compared to his counterparts, he still delivered a fantastic result, one who claimed “he was happier with this 2nd place, than some of his wins!

It had been a long wait during the winter for Moto GP to return but it certainly came back with a bang. Motegi, Japan in two weeks time is sure to be a thriller. Can Stoner bounce back from Qatar or will Rossi romp to victory again? I’m sure Lorenzo and co will have something to say about that…!