Champion Stoner wins MotoGP opener

LOSAIL, Qatar -- World MotoGP champion Casey Stoner opened his title defense in fine style with victory in the season-opening race in Qatar on Sunday, the first to be held at night.

The Australian, who has recovered from pre-season shoulder surgery, worked his way through from fourth place on the grid to take the lead on the eighth lap and was unstoppable from there.

The 22-year-old Ducati rider saw off the challenge of Fiat Yamaha rider and pole-sitter Jorge Lorenzo to win, with last year's runner-up Dani Pedrosa third on his Repsol Honda.

"It's been a hard weekend for us," said Stoner, who also won here also last year. "We didn't start well at all. I didn't have a lot of grip at the rear and people were knocking each other out of the road.

"But I managed to get in front where I felt comfortable and then do some reasonable lap times."

Rookie Lorenzo, who moved up into the top-flight motorcycling category after winning the last two 250cc titles, slipped back to fifth place on the opening lap as Pedrosa surged into the lead from a starting position of eighth.

Five-time world champion Valentino Rossi stormed into the lead on his Yamaha on the third lap, but dropped back to fourth with five to go and was then passed by rookie compatriot rookie Andrea Dovizioso on the final circuit.

The Italian finished fifth, just ahead of British debutant James Toseland, who won last year's World Superbike title.

American Colin Edwards was seventh on a Yamaha ahead of Italy's Loris Capirossi, while Randy De Puniet of France was ninth and 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden of the United States took the final points place in 10th.

In the 250cc category, Italy's Mattia Pasini triumphed ahead of Hector Barbera of Spain and Finland's Mika Kallio.

Spain's Sergio Gadea won the 125cc race from compatriot Joan Olive and Germany's Stefan Bradl. E-mail to a friend

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