"Stoner: No problems at all"

Casey Stoner has confirmed that the lights to flag victory on Monday night delayed Qatar MotoGP season opener was smooth as it seemed. 

After qualifying on pole and leading every session of the track, Stoner and 1.2sec nearest rival, ahead of Loris Capirossi at the end of lap one - and three seconds clear by the time the queen of the six times world champion MotoGP Valentino Rossi was second. 

Rossi gradually eroded the advantage of Stoner 1.9sec before the first half, but Stoner was permitted rapprochement and the Italian was not the Yamaha rider finally gave way, dropping quickly 7.8sec behind Stoner at the flag dropped frames. 

Stoner has won the last three races MotoGP Qatar - in one day and two at night. 

"I am very happy with this victory, because it is the fruit of hard work by everyone in Ducati during the winter," said Stoner. "It was difficult to work in such short sessions this weekend here and enter the race last night we took a bet with an adjustment for change was not sure, but we have the opportunity to try it in the warming and feel great, so thanks to the team who worked very hard over the weekend. That gave me more confidence before the race. 

"We knew that this circuit is challenging for the consumption of fuel and had to adjust my style a bit to keep pace and maintain the advantage over Valentino, but finally we had no problems at all with it. My wrist felt 100% tonight but have to work on my overall fitness after the downtime during the winter and I am sure we can move forward. " 

Stoner's victory was also the first of the new era of a single tire. 

"The whole world is on the same tires and not to hear more about" your tires are better than mine, ' "said Casey." The handle is not the best on this track and the bike was moving a little But perhaps my home-track days I feel more comfortable doing that other riders might like this. We are all on the same tires and it is a good feeling to win the first race this way. " 

Stoner's 2009 margin of victory over Rossi was two seconds larger than it had been more of the doctor's Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo in the past year. Lorenzo finished third on Monday night, 16 seconds of Stoner.