MotoGP news

Stoner scores maiden win in Qatar

Casey Stoner has won his first ever MotoGP race in the opening round of the 2007 Moto GP season in Qatar. The 21-year-old snatched victory from pole position man Valentino Rossi, passing him on the opening lap and keeping the former champion at bay for the remaining 22-laps.

Stoner capitalised on the Ducati's superior straight-line speed to hold off Rossi and eventually won by 2.8seconds. Rossi's Yamaha was strong through the twisty sections of the Qatar circuit and he even passed Stoner in that area four laps from the finish, only for the Australian to glide past him down the straight. Stoner's straight-line speed was some 20kph faster than Rossi.

Dani Pedrosa finished third ahead of Suzuki's John Hopkins who was racing with a bandaged hand following a crash in testing. Two riders suffered accidents - Kawasaki's de Puniet slid off on lap eight and Carlos Checa had a big accident on lap nine, but emerged unscathed.

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• 28 Jun.
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  • Two in a row for Stoner
  • Podium and championship lead for Pedrosa
  • Stoner dominates at Assen
  • Stoner fastest in wet warm up
• 27 Jun.
  • Photos: Friday at TT Circuit
  • More confidence for Lorenzo
  • Rossi satisfied with front row
  • Broken ankle for Hopkins
  • Stoner grabs pole at Assen, broken ankle for Hopkins
  • Pedrosa fastest on Friday morning at wet Assen
  • Difficult start at Assen for Toseland
• 26 Jun.
  • Lorenzo lacking confidence at Assen
  • Capirossi unable to continue at Assen
  • Stoner: We've taken a huge step forward
  • Rossi still struggling a bit
  • Stoner dominates at Assen
  • Photos: Thursday at Assen
  • Stoner fastest in opening practice at Assen
• 24 Jun.
  • Stoner tries to keep momentum going
  • Capirossi to return at Dutch Grand Prix
  • Rossi looking forward to Assen
• 23 Jun.
  • Pedrosa eyes better result at Assen
• 22 Jun.
  • Stoner celebrates second win of season
  • Photos: Sunday at Donington Park
  • Brave ride nets Lorenzo sixth
  • Pedrosa reflective on podium finish
  • Rossi quite happy with second
  • Problems for both Gresini riders
  • Stoner wins British Grand Prix!
  • Stoner fastest in warm-up
• 21 Jun.
  • Another difficult day for Lorenzo
  • Front row for Rossi's 200th
  • Ducati celebrates second straight pole
  • Gresini hoped for more in qualifying
  • Photos: Saturday at Donington Park
  • Stoner dominates qualifying at Donington Park
  • Dovizioso fastest at wet Donington Park
• 20 Jun.
  • Positive practice for Repsol Honda
  • Tentative return for Lorenzo

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