MotoGp 2009 Gets Going At Qatar
We have talked a lot about the 2009 Formula 1 season, which is the ultimate in four-wheeler motor sports. Two weeks after the F1 season unfolded, the MotoGP 2009 season got going as well. The MotoGP got underway at the splendid Losail Circuit in Qatar. The season-opener was a race under lights(for the second time in Qatar). On Sunday, there was some unexpected rain at this desert circuit, which resulted in shortened races in the 125cc and 250cc segments and a postponement of MotoGP to Monday. In fact, the 125cc race will go down in the history books as the shortest race in World Championship history, which lasted just 4 laps before the red flags came out. The conditions were deemed to be too dangerous, as the wet track was dazzling the light to an extend that affected visibility.
The 125cc winner was the Italian youngster Andrea Iannone and the 250cc winner was Spaniard Héctor Barberá. In the MotoGP, Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner was on pole position. Close on his heels was 2008 champion Valentino Rossi in his Fiat Yamaha. Stoner had won the Qatar event the last two years and seemed to be well on course again. Rossi’s team-mate Jorge Lorenzo completed the front row.
Monday’s race was Stoner all the way. He stamped his authority right from the start and nobody could match his pace. His domination at Qatar was so complete that he ended-up setting the pace in every single session.
Casey Stoner At Qatar
Rossi slipped down two places at the start but slowly won them back and set-off trying to catch Stoner, which he couldn’t manage to do with the Australian eventually winning by about 8 seconds. There was controversy when the honda pair of Dani Pedrosa and Alex de Angelis had contact. The event left Pedrosa fuming after the race in which he finished 11th and de Angelis 6th. De Angelis, however, said that he and his team deserved those points for the hard work they had put in.
But, things are working splendidly at the Ducati paddock, where there seems to be great comradery between Stoner and Hayden. On Saturday qualifying, Hayden had suffered a crash and the first thing Stoner asked on returning to the paddock (after setting the best time) was how his team-mate was doing. This was Nicky Hayden’s first race at Ducati and his 100th overall.
Stoner and Hayden
Unfortunately, the accident left him battered, bruised and initially, doubtful for the race. However, he took part even with three stitches on his chest, severe back pain and came home 12th.
Jorge Lorenzo finished 3rd, but expressed concern about their gap to Stoner. Rossi, howeever, was happy with his Qatar performance which he reckons was a considerable improvement to his previous Qatar outings. Colin Edwards finished 4th and Andrea Dovizioso 5th.
Valentino Rossi
Thus, the first round of the MotoGP at the Qatar gave us some spectacular racing and some dramatics as well, though the rain did play the spoil-sport in a small way. The next stop is Japan’s Twin Ring Motegi circuit on the 26th of April. Hopefully, we’ll have uninterrupted action there and closer racing.
Related posts:
Leave your response!