9 Apr 2012

Lorenzo wins MotoGP opener

12:13 pm on 9 April 2012

Spain's 2010 world champion Jorge Lorenzo, riding a Yamaha, won the season-opening Qatar MotoGP this morning to record his first elite class victory at the desert venue.

Lorenzo finished ahead of Honda duo, Spain's Dani Pedrosa and world champion Casey Stoner of Australia, after a three-way battle.

The Spaniard had started from pole position but lost the lead after three laps to Stoner who looked on course for a fifth victory in the MotoGP class in Qatar.

But, with just over three laps left, Lorenzo snatched the lead and kept his advantage from Pedrosa with Stoner finishing almost three seconds off the pace.