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THE opening race of the MotoGP season finished in bizarre circumstances when race winner, Valentino Rossi, was delivered back to the winners' enclosure on a marshall's scooter after his Yamaha ran out of fuel shortly after crossing the finish line.
However, this only served to add to the legacy of the living legend affectionately known by his fans as 'The Doctor'.
In the build-up to this eagerly anticipated season-opener at the floodlit Losail Circuit in Qatar Rossi had dominated practice sessions until the final day of the final test, also held in Qatar. In a return to the form shown two seasons ago, before his illness, Casey Stoner had pipped Rossi and his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo to set up an intriguing battle.
The race got off to a start scriptwriters would have been proud of. Rossi made an excellent start from second on the grid and took advantage of a sluggish start from Stoner to take an immediate lead, only to watch as Danni Pedrosa blazed past him from seventh on the grid. Rossi regained his composure to take back the lead only to lose it again on the main straight as Pedrosa's top speed advantage saw him sail past 'The Doctor'.
However, the next few laps belonged to Stoner as he overtook both Rossi and Pedrosa and used the clear road to set several fastest laps. The Ducati rider was steadily building a comfortable lead until disaster struck and he lost control of his front wheel and took a tumble on the fifth lap.
While the attention had been on Stoner, Rossi slipped past Pedrosa who, from there on in went steadily backwards through the field. Rossi was rarely troubled except when he traded places on the main straight with the powerful Repsol Honda of Dovizioso.
Therefore, despite Stoner setting the two fastest laps of the race, and Pedrosa setting the fastest top speed of the race, Rossi cruised to the 104th win of his career and make the perfect start to a season in which he hopes to clinch his 10th title.
There were also eye-catching displays from Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo, recovering from a broken hand, who left it late to clinch second place and American debutant Ben Spies who moved effortlessly through an experienced field from 11th on the grid to take fifth spot at the chequered flag.
Other notable aspects of this race was Loris Capirossi notching his 300th race start and the Pramac Ducati painting its garage green - ironically choosing the Losail Circuit that illuminates the track using 3,600 light fixtures - to promote environmental awareness.
