MotoGP News - Qatar results

The first MotoGP race of the 2009 season in Qatar is now history. It was a good race, not a great race. Casey Stoner rode a brilliant race from grid to flag. He was never even challenged by Rossi, who finished second - over 7 seconds off Casey's pace. Another 3+ seconds behind Rossi, his teammate, Jorge Lorenzo crossed the line in 3rd.

Marco Melandri, riding for team Hayate was well into the action until he ran wide and off the track. He caught up to the tailers of the race, and claimed a few positions before the end of the race. James Toseland was a victim of the same mistake, running wide and taking an unplanned agricultural excursion, but he stayed astride and finished as well - although out of the points. The only rider to crash out was Loris Capirossi who suffered a spectacular low side mid-race.

Dani Pedrosa, who is still healing from his winter surgery on his left knee, was nailed by Alex DeAngelis during a corner pass. He clung to his bike like a champion, recovered his composure, banged his lever back into place and finished his race like a true professional. Obviously spooked by the close call, and most likely re-injured from the concussion that pinched his injured leg between the two bikes, Pedrosa was overtaken several more times, finishing just ahead of his former teammate, Nicky Hayden, 11th and 12th respectively.

DeAngelis made his way to 6th before the crossing the finish line, Dovizioso landed 5th, and Colin Edwards, who rode an absolutely solid, clean race on his Monster sponsored Yamaha (which, I might add, is sporting a rockin' paint scheme this year!) finished 4th.

All in all, a good race, worth the extra 22 hour wait. It can only get better from here!! 13 days from today, the boys will hammer out the Twin Rings of Motegi. Here are the finalized results from Race one in Qatar:

1	C. Stoner	Ducati
2	V. Rossi	Yamaha
3	J. Lorenzo	Yamaha
4	C. Edwards	Yamaha
5	A. Dovizioso	Honda
6	A. De Angelis	Honda
7	C. Vermeulen	Suzuki
8	M. Kallio	Ducati
9	T. Elias	Honda
10	R. De Puniet	Honda
11	D. Pedrosa	Honda
12	N. Hayden	Ducati
13	S. Gibernau	Ducati
14	M. Melandri	Kawasaki
15	Y. Takahashi	Honda

Until next time....

Rubb'er Down

Kristen