MotoGP news

Strong start for Stoner in Qatar

MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner needed just 45 minutes to find his bearings around the floodlit circuit of Losail in Qatar, with almost five and a half million watts lighting up the first official test session at 1800h local time, following a spectacular opening ceremony. Within an hour Stoner had clocked a stunning lap of 1'55.368, inside the current lap record and almost three seconds clear of his nearest rival.

The test didn't finish until 0100h in the morning but both Ducati Marlboro Team riders were in positive mood. Track temperatures at 2000h were around 18�C.

Stoner commented: "The first impression is like playing on the videogame "Need for Speed"! It's definitely a lot different to what we're used to. It's not better or worse, just different. The most interesting thing is that with lower visibility, at least with regard to the imperfections on the track, you have to have more confidence than your instinct tells you to have. It's not a bad start though."

more news

• 01 Sep.
  • Pedrosa tops Misano test on Bridgestone debut
  • Photos: Sunday in Misano
• 31 Aug.
  • Pedrosa happy with fourth
  • Stoner bitterly disappointed
  • Rossi delighted with record-equalling win
  • Lorenzo celebrates return to podium
  • Win puts Rossi 75 points clear
  • Hayden to sit out San Marino GP
  • Stoner fastest in warm up
• 30 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Misano
  • Stoner extends record with seventh straight pole
  • Pedrosa satisfied with second row
  • Lorenzo happy to be back
  • Rossi ready for another battle with Stoner
  • Stoner storms to last gasp pole
  • Stoner still fastest on Saturday morning
• 29 Aug.
  • Stoner confident despite aggrevating injury
  • Positive start for Rossi
  • Improvement for Lorenzo
  • Stoner fastest on Friday
  • Stoner sets morning pace
• 26 Aug.
  • Stoner determined to bounce back
  • Gresini riders aim high for Misano
• 22 Aug.
  • Repsol Honda back to full strength
• 20 Aug.
  • Melandri confirms Kawasaki move
• 19 Aug.
  • Nakano wraps up positive test for Gresini
  • Stoner ends test with threatening pace
  • Rossi confident for final rounds after test
• 18 Aug.
  • Good test ends strong weekend for Rossi
  • Ducati top test with Stoner
• 17 Aug.
  • Dismal end to disappointing weekend for Pedrosa
  • Stoner rues costly mistake
  • Encouraging results for Gresini
  • Rossi celebrates crucial victory
  • Rossi storms to win as Stoner crashes
  • Stoner still ahead in warm-up
• 16 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Brno
  • Pedrosa struggles in qualifying
  • Rossi hoping for dry race
  • Stoner storms to sixth straight pole

Homepage