On Saturday March 10, a fantastic Ducati beat Valentino Rossi to the highest step on the winners’ stand. In Losail, Qatar, Casey Stoner snagged his first-ever MotoGP win after a long duel with the Doctor, blasts of acceleration, and frightfully knee-scraping inclination.
The outstanding career 46th pole position garnered by Rossi the day before had raised hopes for victory, but unfortunately the difference in horse-power between Val’s M1 and the Ducati Desmosedici was painfully evident in the final stretch to the finish line where, second by second, the Champ from Tavullia lost every inch he’d previously gained with his superior riding skills on the Arabian racetrack. As if to hopefully make up for this big difference in piston displacement, Valentino had requested that number “46” be applied to the back of his racing suit …..in special horsehide, no less!
But after wining the pole position, the crafty ruse failed to turn the trick at the race the next day. You can bet your bridle that things will different in Jerez de la Frontera!
What made this initial World Motorcycle Racing competition particularly unforgettable, however, was the fabulous performance and first victory from Jorge Lorenzo in the 250 cc category.
The reigning world champion took off from the pole position and dominated the final part of the race to beat De Angelis and Barbera to the finish line.
The Dainese racers appear to have gotten off to an excellent start this season: after Max Biaggi’s SuperBike win, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo bring the rest to completion and raise our hopes for more of the same.