Spectators were left disappointed as the MotoGP category was cancelled due to adverse weather caused by rain in the floodlit Commercialbank Grand Prix, the opening leg of the 17-round FIM MotoGP World Championship at the Losail International Circuit last night.
A decision was taken to stage the showpiece event at 9pm tonight after a warm-up at 6.30pm, according to International Road Racing Teams’ Association (IRTA) president Herve Poncharal, who attended a meeting of QMMF and Dorna officials at the circuit.
Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) press officer Majdi Zahran also confirmed the postponement.
Earlier, after the opening 125cc race of the day was red-flagged following the fourth of a total of 18 laps due to rain and the 250cc category was reduced to 13 laps from a total of 20 in better conditions, the spectators, numbering more than 6,500, were left dejected with rain playing spoilsport as they braced for some high quality MotoGP action.
After Saturday’s MotoGP qualifying session, two-time Qatar race winner Australian Casey Stoner of the Ducati Marlboro Team took the pole position ahead of six-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi of Fiat Yamaha Team. Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo of Fiat Yamaha Team and the 2008 Rookie of the Year completed the front row.
Repsol Honda Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team’s Colin Edwards are in the second row. Page 44
Results
250cc: 1. Hector Barbera (Spa) Aprilia, 26:50.940; 2. Jules Cluzel (Fra), Aprilia +0.826; 3. Mike Di Meglio (Fra) Aprilia +6.181; 4. Hiroshi Aoyama (Jpn) Honda +6.609; 5. Raffaele De Rosa (Ita) Honda, +6.656; 6. Thomas Luthi (Swi) Aprilia +6.672; 7. Alvaro Bautista (Spa) Aprilia +7.608; 8. Ratthapark Wilairot (Tha) Honda +8.349; 9. Roberto Locatelli (Ita) Gilera +15.032; 10. Gabor Talmacsi (Hun) Aprilia +20.348.125cc: 1. Andrea Iannone (Ita), Aprilia, 8:37.245; 2. Julian Simon (Spa), Aprilia +0.180; 3. Sandro Cortese (Ger) Derbi +5.211.
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