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Spanish rookie takes MotoGP pole in Doha

Stoner still favourite in opening race of this season.

  • AP
  • Published: 00:32 March 10, 2008
  • Gulf News

Doha: Rookie MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain grabbed the pole for the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix at Losail International Circuit. The 20-year-old Yamaha rider clocked 1 minute, 53:927 seconds to edge double world superbike champion James Toseland of Britain.

"I am happy with what we have achieved today," said Lorenzo, the world champion in 250cc in 2006 and 2007.

Took the gamble

"To see so many Yamaha bikes on the front grid - we couldn't have asked for more after putting in so much effort.

"I think Casey Stoner is still the favourite and not us [the Yamaha riders]."

Toseland was timed at 1:54:182 under lights. "I haven't done bad for a superbike rider," Toseland said. "I am glad I took the gamble of joining the MotoGP."

Results

Qatar Grand Prix:

1. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP) Yamaha 1:53.927, 2. James Toseland (GBR) Yamaha at 0.255, 3. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 0.572, 4. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 0.806, 5. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Honda 0.891, 6. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda 0.953, 7. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 1.206, 8. Dani Pedrosa (ESP) Honda 1.243, 9. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Honda 1.258, 10. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki 1.336

250cc:

1. Alex Debon (ESP) Aprilia 1:59.470, 2. Hector Barbera (ESP) Aprilia at 0.159, 3. Alvaro Bautista (ESP) Aprilia 0.224, 4. Mika Kallio (FIN) KTM 0.344, 5. Mattia Pasini (ITA) Aprilia 0.433

125cc:

1. Bradley Smith (GBR) Aprilia 2:05.242, 2. Gabor Talmacsi (HUN) Aprilia at 0.066, 3. Mike Di Meglio (FRA) Derbi 0.109, 4. Scott Redding (GBR) Aprilia 0.303, 5. Raffaele De Rosa (ITA) KTM 0.376.

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