MotoGP: Rossi and Lorenzo off to a flying start

Eighteen races, thirteen countries and 4 continents. This is the treacherous but unimaginably satisfying route that the seventeen riders and ten teams that comprise the 2010 MotoGP grid, will travel before the World Championship debate is settled.

The monarchy of Qatar, the Commercial bank Grand Prix of Qatar, was first on the calendar and a more appropriate start to a championship could not have been scripted, even if Hollywood legend Jerry Bruckheimer inked his name in the space beside the title – Executive Producer!

At the Losail International Raceway, artificial lights transformed night to day in illuminating fashion. Temperatures which during the day could be compared to the internals of an overworked oven in the middle of its baking routine, were sidelined and replaced by pool side comfort, complete with a gin and tonic. It is difficult to break with tradition though and someone needs to tell me why the ‘umbrella girls’ (paddock girls) were still out in full force, standing erect, umbrellas in hand, held high above the heads of the pampered MotoGP riders – no sun –no rain.

 Casey Stoner

A healthy Casey Stoner (Marlboro Ducati), who kicked his lactose intolerant habit, threw down the gauntlet, declared his ambitions and secured pole, but was closely monitored by Rossi in second. Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo, who is still not at 100%, thanks to an injury to his right hand, kept pace and stayed close to the heat at the front.

The simile – as fast as lightning – will suffice to describe Dani Pedrosa’s (Repsol Honda) start. From 7th on the grid, when the lights faded, the mental imprint in Pedrosa’s brain delivered the message several milliseconds early and he roared away at warp speed. The stunned crowd could only watch as Pedrosa leaned his machine into turn 1 first, ahead of Rossi, Stoner and company.

Rossi

The race settled into its rhythm rather quickly and Rossi reminding the field who was boss, took his spot at the front. Stoner eager to launch his bid for the title got going and eased pass Rossi shortly after. It wasn’t written, so it wasn’t delivered.  Stoner did not find favor with the MotoGP gods and so he crashed out, rather embarrassingly, while leading the race on lap 5. A thankful Rossi waltzed to the front and despite a few challenges he remained fixed in the top spot.

Rossi has a tendency of motivating Lorenzo and it worked again like a charm. Lorenzo forgot all about his injury, leaned on the throttle with an extra twist and blew by Nicky Hayden (Marlboro Ducati) and Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and was presented with second place.  A thrilling battle ensued between Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden to decide third, but as fate would have it, it wasn’t Marlboro Ducati’s day. In a fight to the wire, Dovizioso snatched third. Pedrosa, who led initially with the dynamite start, eventually crept home in sixth.
A Fiat Yamaha 1-2 in Qatar means maximum points for Rossi and a spot of bother for the other teams, especially Marlboro Ducati.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer