Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, on a Yamaha, has won a spectacular Grand Prix of Qatar after withstanding a furious onslaught from fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso over the final laps.
A see-saw battle saw the the lead change hands numerous times before the 36-year-old Rossi opened up a slight gap on the final two laps and held off the charging Dovizioso on his Ducati, who was looking for his first win in MotoGP.
It was a stunning 109th victory for the iconic Rossi and his 197th podium as Italy swept the board with Andrea Iannone, also on a Ducati, coming home third.
Rossi won the first race of the season by 0.174sec with Iannone 2.250 back, Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo in fourth and world champion Marc Marquez well back in fifth at 7.036 after a nightmare start.
“This was one of the best victories for me,” said Rossi with his trademark grin.
“The bike was fantastic, I never gave up but it was a real fight with the Ducatis and the Hondas who were really strong.
“I’m so happy for me, for the team and for Yamaha. The second part of the race was really good and I’m very happy because we had difficulties in testing and practice but my experience helped today.
“This is a great, great victory but I had a good feeling this morning.” he added.
Lorenzo, also on a Yamaha, was also in the hunt for victory and led midway through the race before Rossi, who began from eighth on the grid, charged to the front and went into battle with his compatriot Dovizioso.
It came down to an all Italian battle with Rossi seizing the lead for the final time with two laps to go and just hanging on to cross the line ahead of Dovizioso, who started from pole position.
Dovizioso was delighted with his performance despite missing out on a maiden win in the sport’s most prestigious category.
“I’m happy to come back from what I’ve been through and it was a really tight race right until the final lap,” he said.
“I had no more grip on my tyres so I couldn’t attack but to come second in the first race of the season is really great.” he added.
