By blue2bikes
March 9 2007

Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship 2007: The first pole position of the 800cc MotoGP new era has been taken by Yamaha, and their team leader Valentino Rossi. The number 46 rider secured the number 46 pole of his GP career. Rossi took pole position at Losail, in Qatar, by the slimmest of margins - just 0.005secs from second placed man Casey Stoner, in the first Grand Prix of the 18 circuit series for 2007. Colin Edwards was the man to beat throughout, but was finally relegated to third position by the young Australian.

Edwards has been the most consistent front runner throughout testing, and is certainly on better form than last year. Dani Pedrosa, small in stature and used to the smaller machine size, will certainly be a threat to the Yamaha team-mates this year, as will Stoner.

Once over his injuries, John Hopkins, the UK-based rider will, I am sure, stand on the podium at some time this year. And also not to be forgotten as a threat is the very experienced Loris Capirossi.

The struggling and present champion Nicky Hayden will not be happy with his ninth position on the starting grid, and has it all to do when the lights turn green. Former champion Valentino Rossi will be on fire from the off, after handing Nicky the championship title last year, and will not be handing anyone anything this year.

With the young riders now coming through, such as Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, this will be a year that will certainly be exciting - and may just throw up some surprising yet deserved podium placings.

Being shown worldwide by not only Sky but aired on national terrestrial television stations throughout the world, the series will be watched by millions in what could be termed as the most exciting series for many a year.

Qualifying times, Losail Circuit, Qatar Grand Prix:
1 Valentino Rossi ITA, Fiat Yamaha Team (M), 1m 55.002s
2 Casey Stoner AUS, Ducati Marlboro Team (B), 1m 55.007s
3 Colin Edwards USA, Fiat Yamaha Team (M), 1m 55.233s
4 Toní Elías ESP, Gresini Honda (B), 1m 55.358s
5 Dani Pedrosa ESP, Repsol Honda Team (M), 1m 55.361s
6 John Hopkins USA, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B), 1m 55.833s
7 Loris Capirossi ITA, Ducati Marlboro Team (B), 1m 55.851s
8 Randy de Puniet FRA, Kawasaki Racing Team (B), 1m 55.933s
9 Nicky Hayden USA, Repsol Honda Team (M), 1m 56.041s
10 Marco Melandri ITA, Gresini Honda (B), 1m 56.222s
11 Shin’ya Nakano JAP, Konica Minolta Honda (M), 1m 56.306s
12 Carlos Checa ESP, Honda LCR (M), 1m 56.609s
13 Chris Vermeulen AUS, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B), 1m 56.639s
14 Olivier Jacque FRA, Kawasaki Racing Team (B), 1m 56.754s
15 Alex Barros BRA, Pramac d’Antín MotoGP (B), 1m 56.814s
16 Sylvain Guintoli FRA, Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D), 1m 57.257s
17 Alex Hofmann BRD, Pramac d’Antín MotoGP (B), 1m 57.274s
18 Kenny Roberts USA, Team Roberts (M), 1m 57.495s
19 Makoto Tamada JAP, Dunlop Tech 3 Yamaha (D), 1m 58.024s
20 Jeremy McWilliams NIR, Ilmor GP (M), 1m 59.606s
21 Andrew Pitt AUS, Ilmor GP (M), 1m 59.725s