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Stoner takes dramatic win in Qatar

Reigning champion Casey Stoner overcame rookie pole-sitter Jorge Lorenzo to take a dramatic victory in the opening round of the 2008 season at Qatar. Dani Pedrosa claimed the final place on the podium in third.

Stoner started from the front row and fended off plenty of pressure and challenges early in the race before taking the win by five seconds over Lorenzo. The Spaniard was aggressive throughout his debut race but didn't have enough to beat the reigning champion in his first race.

Pedrosa started from the third row of the grid but fought with grit and determination to finish third ahead of Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi climbed up from seventh, but couldn't do better than finish fifth.

Toseland and Edwards finished sixth and seventh ahead of Capirossi, de Puniet and Nicky Hayden completing the top ten.

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• 20 Jul.
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  • Rossi hoping to cause upset
  • Lorenzo improves to fourth
  • Stoner delighted with fifth straight pole
  • Hayden keeps Repsol Honda end up
• 19 Jul.
  • Stoner smashes record to take pole
  • Pedrosa pulls out of US weekend
  • Stoner domination continues in morning practice
  • Strong start for Gresini
  • Stoner happy with early pace
  • Lorenzo takes it easy
  • Hayden shines for Repsol Honda
  • Photos: Friday at Laguna Seca
  • Rossi extends Yamaha contract
• 18 Jul.
  • Stoner stays top on day one
  • Stoner sets early practice pace
  • Edwards extends Yamaha contract
• 16 Jul.
  • Hayden exited about home race
  • Pedrosa cleared to race
• 14 Jul.
  • Photos: Sunday at Sachsenring
  • Rossi aims to capitalise on momentum
• 13 Jul.
  • Rossi retakes championship lead
  • Tough day for Repsol Honda
  • Lorenzo rues lost opportunity
  • Gresini savours de Angelis fourth
  • Stoner dedicates win to team
  • Stoner flies to victory in Germany
  • Melandri to leave Ducati
  • Pedrosa sets warm-up pace
• 12 Jul.
  • Repsol Honda hopeful from second
  • Rossi looking for more pace
  • Second row boost for Lorenzo
  • Both Gresinis make top ten
  • Stoner savours fourth straight pole
  • Stoner storms to pole position
  • Pedrosa pips Stoner in final practice
• 11 Jul.
  • Alice riders happy with improvement
  • Rossi looking to improve in Germany
  • Photos: Friday at Sachsenring
  • Steady progress for Repsol Honda

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