Jorge Lorenzo (centre), winner of MotoGP Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar is flanked by runner-up Valentino Rossi (left) and third place winner Marc Marquez at Losail International Circuit, yesterday. RIGHT: Jorge Lorenzo celebrates with the trophy after winning the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.PICTURES BY: SHAIVAL DALAL
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: World champion Jorge Lorenzo yesterday stormed to his second successive win in Qatar as Yamaha Factory Racing completed a stunning 1-2 at the season opening race at Losail International Circuit.
Lorenzo finished the 22-lap race ahead of nine-time world champion and team-mate Valentino Rossi who moved from the seventh spot on the grid to win his cat-and-mouse battle with third-placed Marc Marquez.
The 25-year-old Spaniard repeated last year’s performance in Qatar - winning pole position and the race - with a time of 42mins 39.802 for his 24th career MotoGP victory.
Rossi, the master of bends and tough conditions, secured his first podium of the new season ahead of 2012 Moto2 world champion Marquez who eventually finished third for Repsol Honda Team.
The 34-year-old Italian finished 5.990secs behind team-mate Lorenzo who had claimed pole on Saturday.
Twenty-year-old Marquez - who remained in second place behind Lorenzo for most of the race - ended the opening round 6.201secs behind the Spaniard.
Dani Pedrosa, the Honda Repsol star who started form the third spot on the front row - finished in fourth place, 9.473secs off the pace set by Lorenzo.
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow failed in his maiden podium bid but nevertheless the 27-year-old emerged fifth fastest, 18.764secs behind Lorenzo.
GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista (+22.148), Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso (+24.355), team-mate Nicky Hayden (+24.920), Energy T I Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone (+37.124) and Ignite Pramac Racing’s Ben Spies (+44.908) completed the top-10 riders at Losail Circuit.
Lorenzo - who remained in pole position throughout the 42-minute battle - received the trophy in front of 9,704 fans, the highest tally ever at Losail Circuit staging the 10th edition of the Grand Prix of Qatar.
After watching Lorenzo scorch Losail Circuit, sixth-placed Rossi turned things around after lap 10 when he jumped to fifth spot to shadow the top four of Lorenzo, Pedrosa, Marquez and Crutchlow.
With momentum on his side, the veteran Italian squeezed past Crutchlow on lap 18 to go fourth. A lap later, Rossi slipped past diminutive Pedrosa to go third in a riveting show of perfection on two wheels.
A couple of minutes later, Rossi went past Marquez like a shadow to sit at second place and retained the position until the end.
After the thrilling race, champion Lorenzo was congratulated by QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah before he received the winner’s trophy on the podium.
A smiling Lorenzo said: “I knew it was going to be a tough week. It was very difficult and all I did was push myself, giving my 100 percent.”
The Spaniard praised team-mate Rossi’s performance.
“I am happy for Valentino who didn’t have that kind of fast riding in two years. I am happy for Yamaha that we won like this,” he added. Rossi seemed pleased with his performance that ended his podium drought after five races.
“I had a good feeling in the warm-up,” Rossi said. “I knew if I get momentum, I can fight in the race. I moved ahead step-by-step and I had a great battle with Marc.
“I am happy for Yamaha. It was a great 1-2. We can fight (for the championship),” the Italian added.
MotoGP rookie Marquez said: “It is a dream come true to be here (in the top three). I got a little nervous before the race. When I got past Pedrosa, I told myself to relax. I got good experience. It was a great race.”
Meanwhile, Stefan Bradl’s wait to become the first German on a MotoGP podium since 1989 will continue as the LCR Honda rider crashed out in lap eight while taking a bend. Bradl flew off the bike and hit the gravel before walking off the track.
Minutes earlier, Britain’s Bradley Smith also crashed out, leaving headaches for Monster YamahaTech 3 with plenty to think before the next round.
Bryan Staring, Karel Abraham and Daniel Petrucci also crashed out by lap 14.
The next round will be held in Austin, Texas, in two weeks’ time.
The Peninsula
