MotoGP news

Stoner enjoys solid win

Casey Stoner savoured the Australian national anthem with his eyes firmly closed under the bright lights of Qatar after taking victory in the first night race in the history of the sport. The MotoGP World Champion started the defence of his title from fourth on the grid and had dropped to fifth by the end of the first lap, before charging through to set up a stirring battle with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

The Spanish rookie proved to be the most difficult obstacle between Stoner and his eleventh career MotoGP win but by the eighth lap Stoner was in control and little by little he opened out an insurmountable gap.

Commenting on his first victory of the season Stoner said: "That was a fantastic race and I really enjoyed it - it was like being back in 125s! The first few laps were really hectic, there were guys bashing fairings and I just tried to stay out of the way. When I got my chance to get through I took it and from there I just focused on setting my pace. Jorge rode brilliantly - it wasn't an easy race by any means, especially at the start.

"Over the first few laps I was struggling a bit for grip but then the tyres got up to temperature and improved. We knew we had a pretty good package for the race but obviously we couldn't be sure that things would go as well as that. I want to say thanks to everybody at Ducati for a great job, my team, the guys at Bridgestone... Thanks everybody."

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• 28 Jun.
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  • Podium and championship lead for Pedrosa
  • Stoner dominates at Assen
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• 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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