Casey Stoner made a perfect start with the Ducati Marlboro Team at Qatar today, riding to a magnificent season-opening victory aboard his Desmosedici GP7.
The Australian's breathtaking maiden win in the first race of MotoGP's new 800cc era repeats Loris Capirossi's 2006 season-opening win at Jerez and follows Troy Bayliss'
2006 season-ending win at Valencia on the 990cc GP6.
Capirossi had an unluckier start to his 2007 campaign, sliding off without injury at one-third distance while charging forward and aiming for a podium result.
Stoner rode a perfectly judged race, leading the first lap and then battling with former World Champion Valentino Rossi throughout. The pair swapped positions several times, separated by just a few tenths for most of the 22 laps, Stoner crossing the finish line 2.8 seconds ahead after setting a new track record on the final lap.
1. C.STONER
2. V.ROSSI
3. D.PEDROSA