In his first hit out for the Ducati Marlboro team American Nicky Hayden produced an impressive display, starting from 16th on the grid at the Losail International Circuit to finish amongst the points in 12th place, despite carrying chest and back injuries.

It would note have been an easy task for Hayden controlling the Desmosedici GP9 throughout the race after his huge fall during qualifying on Saturday, given that Nicky sustained badly bruised back and several stitches to his chest.

The American still fought right to the death, recording his best lap time for thr night right at the end of the race and almost catching his ex team mate Dani Pedrosa in 11th place on the finishing line.

Ducati rider Casey Stoner has taken out the first round of the MotoGP season in Qatar overnight providing him with a hat trick of wins from the Losail circuit.

After the postponement of the race yesterday due to rain in the Arabian desert, Monday evening witnessed the first race in the new single tyre supplier era, but the result was a familiar one with Casey Stoner finishing first, ahead of World Champion Valentino Rossi.

A ruthless Casey Stoner took control from the onset and had built up a two second gap at the end of the first lap. The 2007 World Champion’s victory never looked in doubt as he controlled the race to the finish.

Completing the podium behind the front two was Valentino Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo repeating his result from his MotoGP debut in the opening race of 2008.