The Rompongz

The FIM has announced the latest provisional MotoGP 2010 calendar. The updated schedule moves the Czech Grand Prix back to its original 15 August date, having been set on the 22nd in a schedule issued only last week.

The move, aimed at avoiding clashes with other motor sport events, means there will now be a two week gap between the Brno race and the Indianapolis Grand Prix, which were previously set to be back-to-back.

Provisional 2010 MotoGP calendar:
11 April - Qatar* - Losail
25 April - Japan - Motegi
2 May - Spain - Jerez
23 May - France - Le Mans
6 June - Italy - Mugello
20 June - Great Britain - Silverstone
26 June - Netherlands** - Assen
4 July - Catalunya - Catalunya
18 July - Germany - Sachsenring
25 July - United States*** - Laguna Seca
15 August - Czech Republic - Brno
29 August - Indianapolis - Indianapolis
5 September - San Marino & Riviera di Rimini - Misano
19 September - Hungary - Balatonring
10 October - Malaysia - Sepang
17 October - Australia - Phillip Island
31 October - Portugal - Estoril
7 November - Valencia - Ricardo Tormo Valencia

* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class

Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner struck his first blow at the 2009 MotoGP opening round in Qatar, maintaining an early lead over the two factory Fiat Yamaha riders Rossi and Lorenzo. Valentino Rossi took a lone second with teammate Jorge Lorenzo rounding out the podium.

Stoner jumped out to an amazing 3 second lead as Rossi lost time battling past Loris Capirossi and then Lorenzo early in the race. By the halfway point of the race Rossi had managed to shave a second off Stoner’s lead, but Stoner picked up the pace when Rossi's Bridgestone tires began lossing traction. The Australian rider set a quickest time of one minute 57.053 seconds around the Losail circuit. That beat defending champion Rossi’s best lap of 1:57.439. With 9 laps to go the Australain had widened the gap back to 3 seconds. Rossi settled for riding for a safe 20 point second-place finish as Stoner booked a hat trick win at the Losail circuit.

Qatar Results:
1. Casey Stoner (Ducati) 25
2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 20
3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 16
4. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) 13
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) 11
6. Alex De Angelis (Honda) 10
7. Chris Vermeuelen (Suzuki) 9
8. Mika Kallio (Ducati) 8
9. Toni Elias (Honda) 7
10. R. De Puniet (Honda) 6
11. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 5
12. Nicky Hayden (Ducati) 4
13. Sete Gibernau (Ducati) 3
14. Marco Melandri (Kawasaki) 2
15. Yuki Takahashi (Honda) 1
DNF Loris Capirossi (Suzuki)

More Results and Statistics:
http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics