Stoner dominates in Qatar victory
Added on Sunday, March 20th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor
Stoner dominates in Qatar victory
As the 2011 MotoGP season got underway at Qatar, it was pole sitter Casey Stoner who romped to victory.
After looking as though he would take honours just one year ago, the Australian missed out; however another dominant performance at the Qatar circuit this time ensured the number one spot.
Being new to the Repsol Honda team for 2011, Stoner enjoyed a fierce battle with team-mate Dani Pedrosa throughout the race, with the Spaniard keen to take the win for himself. As the lights went out, Pedrosa leapt into the lead immediately, with Stoner latching onto his teammates similar Honda machine in second.
From here third placed starter Jorge Lorenzo edged his way past Stoner into second, and soon took up position as race leader for a while. With a three way fight for honours grasping the attention of the fans, the fight for the lead became centred on the Repsol Honda teammates, with the duo swapping places on a number of occasions.
As the race entered the closing stages, it was Stoner who was able to hold onto the top spot, sweeping passed the chequered flag 3.440s ahead of Lorenzo. Commenting on his early season success, Stoner said: ” It is a great way to start the season! I’m really happy with how everything has gone and the way the team has all worked together, a big thanks to Honda and my best wishes to Japan in this difficult time”. Pedrosa completed the podium, whilst Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli finished fourth and fifth after a tough scuffle for position.
Ben Spies steered his Yamaha to sixth place, after an enjoyable tussle with Ducati debutant Valentino Rossi. The Italian took the chequered flag in seventh place on his debut for the prestigious manufacturer, ahead of Colin Edwards in eighth.
The remaining positions in the top ten went the way of Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama. Only three more riders took the chequered flag, in the form of Cal Crutchlow, Hector Barbera and Karel Abraham, on his MotoGP debut.
With his opening win of the season Stoner has immediately taken control of the championship standings, a feat he will be aiming to repeat at Jerez on 3rd April.
