Thursday, March 15, 2007

Stoner Victory help Ducati and Rider for Health


MotoGP.com - Having seen new Ducati rider Casey Stoner take victory on his debut outing for the Italian team, Federico Minoli - CEO of Ducati Motor Holding - gave his Expert Eye view on the day's events to motogp.com. Obviously plesed with Stoner's magnificent performance, Minoli commented on the back-to-back Ducati wins that the factory team have experienced.
"It was great day for us, we've been doing very well all week and Casey rode very well. It is just a shame that Loris Capirossi couldn't fnish the race. The last two motogp raceshave been won by Ducati's oldest rider (Troy Bayliss) and now the youngest (Stoner)."
The win not only helps the team's chances, but it should also raise money for worthy cause. Stoner's seat, signed by the rider hinself and dedicated to Minoli, will be auctioned off for Riders For Health, the official MotoGP charity.
Result of MotoGP Qatar:
1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 43min 2.788 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 43min 5.626 secs
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 43min 11.318 secs
4. John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 43min 11.859 secs
5. Marco Melandri ITA Gresini Honda (B) 43min 20.221 secs
6. Colin Edwards USA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 43min 21.435 secs
7. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 43min 25.704 secs
8. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 43min 25.845 secs
9. Alex Barros BRA Pramac d'Antin MotoGP (B) 43min 28.749 secs
10. Shinya Nakano JPN Konica Minolta Honda (M) 43min 31.244 secs
11. Alex Hofmann GER Pramac d'Antin MotoGP (B) 43min 37.817 secs
12. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 43min 45.736 secs
13. Kenny Roberts USA Team Roberts (M) 43min 45.765 secs
14. Toni Elias SPA Gresini Honda (B) 43min 45.777 secs
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D) 43min 54.427 secs
16. Makoto Tamada JPN Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D) 44min 0.641 secs
DNF :
Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing Team (B)
Carlos Checa SPA Honda LCR (M)
Loris Capirossi ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B)
Andrew Pitt AUS Ilmor GP (M)
Note
B = Bridgestone
D = Dunlop
M = Michelin