Winner ... Valentino Rossi. Photo: AP
World champion Valentino Rossi launched his title defence with victory at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday after bitter rival Casey Stoner crashed out.
Rossi, on a Yamaha, won by 1.022sec from teammate Jorge Lorenzo while his Italian compatriot Andrea Dovizioso, riding a Honda, was 1.865sec off the pace.
Australia's Stoner, who was bidding for a fourth successive win at the floodlit desert venue, crashed out on the fifth lap having started on pole position on his Ducati.
