Casey Stoner wins first MotoGP night race in Qatar

The Associated Press ,  Doha   |  Mon, 03/10/2008 6:49 AM  |  Headlines

Defending champion Casey Stoner of Australia launched the new MotoGP season by winning the Qatar Grand Prix in dramatic fashion on Sunday.

Stoner, who won 10 races out of 18 starts last year for Ducati, burned up the 5.3-kilometer  Losail International Circuit to win the world's first MotoGP night race five seconds ahead of pole winner Jorge Lorenzo of Italy.

"This is an amazing win for me," Stoner said. "I am very happy to start the new season in this fashion. We didn't have a great time in the preseason ... but I enjoyed tonight's race. It was crazy in the first few laps."

The Australian clocked 42 minutes, 36:587 seconds in the 22-lap race, while Lorenzo timed 42:49:875 on his Yamaha.

"We didn't expect such results - pole position and then the podium finish," Lorenzo said after his MotoGP debut.

Honda rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain was third in 42:47:187, and Italian duo Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi fourth and fifth.

"It is a bit of a surprise result for us," Pedrosa said. "We didn't do well in the testing, but we have worked extremely hard before the first race. I pushed hard today and got a good result."

Double world superbike champion James Toseland of Britain was sixth, and 2006 MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden of the United States 10th.

In the 250cc class, Italian rider Mattia Pasini led an Aprilia 1-2 finish.

Pasini edged teammate Hector Barbera of Spain by half a second after 20 laps.

"It is a fantastic result for me and my team," Pasini said. "It is a great start to the new season."

Third place went to KTM rider Mika Kallio of Finland, and pole winner Alex Debon of Spain placed fourth on his Aprilia.

In the 125cc class, rookie Sergio Gadea of Spain emerged as the winner over 18 laps.

"I came here feeling good till I hurt my shoulder," Gadea said. "There was a lot of pain (in my shoulder), but I worked morning and night to set things right. I didn't have good rhythm at the start, but did well in the end."

Starting from the eighth spot, Gadea finished ahead of compatriot Joan Olive, who was second, and third-placed Aprilia rider Stefan Bradl. (***)

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