MotoGP: Rossi nearly half a second behind
Tyler Hopper
AllAboutBikes Staff-Writer
Returning from Losail as the quickest rider, Casey Stoner, aboard his Ducati Desmosedici GP9, turned the quickest lap at the Jerez Circuit earning him his second BMW M award; receiving the keys to the 135i BMW SauberF1 Team Edition.
Stoner completed his fast lap with only ten minutes left in the session; he was the winner of the BMW M award and the BMW Best Qualifier Award last year. Stoner has his sights set on the Best Qualifier Award this year. The Best Qualifier Award is presented to the fastest rider through every qualifying session. Stoner is well on his way to receive the Award, being the fastest in Jerez, Malaysia and Qatar.
As Stoner progresses through the 2009 pre-season, his fiercest competitor, Valentino Rossi, nips at his heels. Rossi timed his quickest lap nearly one-half second behind Stoner. Rossi is the reigning MotoGP World Champion and winner of the BMW Award in 2007.
The first race of the year will take place at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on April 10-12. At pre-season testing in Qatar, Stoner turned the quickest lap time, possibly giving us a preview of what will happen in April when the season starts. Rossi and Stoner are sure to clash at the race in Qatar, and if Stoner can maintain his momentum from the pre-season he will hold a slight psychological advantage at the start of the season.
