The Arabian peninsula and its fabled a thousand and one nights worked like a magical charm for the Dainese Team World Motorcycle Championship racers. Although nobody knows if they found a magic lantern to rub, anyone can see that the two lads have the magic touch in their right wrists when it comes to opening the gas to leave their opponents behind in the dust. And that's just what they did on last Saturday, April 8 on the Losail track.
The champs from Pesaro and Spain ran two different races, but both showed the same class in performance.
After his rather disappointing season's debut in Jerez de la Frontera, the Doctor proved capable of healing himself and winning by coming from behind. Starting from the 6th position on the grid, he took the lead by gradually improving performance as his tires progressively loosened their hold on the road and the chattering of his Yamaha M1 quieted down to open the door to the Italian racer's proverbial inspiration and talent. Even if he has yet to completely come to terms with his bike, success in Qatar has brought the smiles back to the Rossi entourage, especially when considering that this victory brings Valentino to a total of 54 in the 500 cc class, matching the record of the great Mick Doohan.
In 250 cc competition, Jorge Lorenzo dominated the race with all his distinctive shrewdness. The Spaniard now stands at the top of pack with two straight victories and looks forward to the next appointment in Istanbul at the end of April net with justifiable confidence.
The other Dainese Team racers in the World Motorcycle Racing Circuit also did well: Dani Pedrosa finished 6th in the heavy-weight class, while Simoncelli and Poggiali came in respectively 8th and 14th in 250 cc competition, and Nieto and Luthi turned in 5th sand 8th place finishes in the 125 cc class.

How about D-Challenge? The Qatar race finally opened up the winners' column thus far closed to all pretenders, and the top scores were won by Ivanuccia from Nocera Inferiore and Teosanvi from Biassono: Congratulations, kids! The standings now show Banz, Lorena87 and Valerik in the pole positions, all of whom have picked up bonus points that do no harm in keeping the lead over their closest followers. The next chance to pick the winners will be in Istanbul at the end of April, where a little Middle Eastern magic might still be left for you!