Qatar: Stoner tops opening practice

Casey Stoner

The 2012 MotoGP World Championship began tonight under the footlights of the spectacular Grand Prix of Qatar.

The MotoGP riders took to the Losail circuit for the first time this season in a short free practice of 45 minutes, and started to work on the set up of their bikes for the opening race of the Championship.

Casey Stoner set the fastest time with 1'56.474.

CASEY STONER 1st 1'56.474
"The track tonight wasn't so bad, I expected the conditions to be much worse but in general it was ok. We started this evening with huge chatter issues and I was a little afraid we couldn't fix this but after a few more exits we managed to reduce it to a more comfortable level. This is a positive point for the weekend but with such a short session and then nothing until tomorrow it's slightly strange. It was an ok start tonight, we finished quickest which is good but we'll have to wait until tomorrow for some real track time and with the conditions a little better and see where we are".

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