Historic Night race in the dessert
The MotoGp riders and team members enjoyed an historic moment when the first ever night test was performed at the Losail circuit in Qatar.
Read some of the interviews from the riders and enjoy the magic photos.
Jorge Lorenzo, Team FIAT Yamaha
"On this first night of testing in Qatar I was more curious to see how it was riding at night than anything else! I am happy with this idea and honestly speaking I felt I immediately got used to the conditions. Of course at the beginning it feels a bit strange but after few laps things become quite normal and your eyes get used to the new light. The strangest feeling I had was that I felt…lonely! Riding in the night, although the light is very strong, makes you feel alone with your bike, so you must keep the concentration very high because of course you are not alone! The right lines do not change because of the light, only when braking do you see your shadow getting closer, and that’s why you always must be alert, in order not to get confused with the shadow of another rider! As far as our performance is concerned, my time was very good today but I think with some more work we can be faster still. Tomorrow, when I am more used to the new light, the track and to the cold temperatures, we will try to do even better.”
Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team
"The first impression is like playing on the videogame "Need for Speed"! It's definitely a lot different to what we're used to. It's not better or worse, just different. The most interesting thing is that with lower visibility, at least with regard to the imperfections on the track, you have to have more confidence than your instinct tells you to have. It's not a bad start though."
Loris Capirossi, Team Rizzla Suzuki
“It is really interesting riding in the night and my feeling is that it is good out there, it’s not like daylight but I am very impressed. We are working a lot on the bike and we have tried something different to find the best setting. We know the way to minimise the problems we have at the moment, we are still struggling a bit with traction which was the same as we had at Jerez. I think we are working really hard and the team is very close - we only need a bit of time to make sure we are 100% and fully competitive for the first race.”
Race Result
2008 MotoGP Qatar, March 9, 2008
Race 1 - 22 Laps
1 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 42'36.587
2 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 0'5.323
3 Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 0'10.600
4 Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 0'13.288
5 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 0'13.305
6 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 0'14.040
7 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 0'15.150
8 Loris Capirossi Suzuki ITA 0'32.505
9 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 0'33.003
10 Nicky Hayden Honda USA 0'38.354
11 Marco Melandri Ducati ITA 0'44.284
12 John Hopkins Kawasaki USA 0'49.857
13 Shinya Nakano Honda JPN 0'49.871
14 Toni Elias Ducati ESP 0'58.532
15 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati FRA 0'58.930
Overal test standings 28 february 2008
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'55.330
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'56.019
3. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'56.062
4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1'56.121
5. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'56.251
6. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'56.571
7. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1'56.614
8. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'56.621
9. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'56.749
10. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'56.762
11. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1'57.007
12. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'57.010
13. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'57.223
14. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1'57.522
15. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'57.551
16. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'57.593
17. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 1'57.644
18. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1'57.787
Losail: Lap Record
C. Stoner (Ducati) 2007, 1'56.528
Losail: Best Lap
V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2007, 1'55.002