Stoner Secures Pole, Shooting for Qatar Hat Trick
2007 World Champion and Marlborough Ducati rider, Casey Stoner maintained his position at the front of the time sheets by qualifying almost 1/2 a second faster than reigning champion, Valentino Rossi, and claimed pole position for the opening round of the 2009 MotoGP Championship tomorrow at the Losail circuit in the desert of Qatar.
Stoner who has won the last 2 races at the circuit and who has been fastest at all the pre-season test would score a hat trick tomorrow if he takes victory in the night race. Stoner set a blistering 1’55.286 time. Despite a valiant last lap effort, Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino could only secure 2nd position, 0.473 seconds further back. Rossi’s teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, finished 3rd fastest whilst Repsol Honda’s Anrdea Dovizioso posted the 4th best time.
Following on form great pre-season form, Loris Capirossi will start the frist race of the season in 5th on the Rizla Suzuki, ahead of another rider who has been fast in testing, Tech 3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards.
Miae Kallio put his Pramac Ducati in 10th for the best rookie performance but there was little else to celebrate for Ducati fans. Sete Gibernau is in 15th, still suffering from a training injury sustained over the winter whilst, Nicky Hayden had a massive high speed high side that saw him taken to the medical center at the close of the qualifying session. He was trying to improve his 16th place.
The race will be run at 11:00 pm local time under lights, tomorrow, Sunday April 12th.
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