Submitted by Kropotkin on
Sadly, we are coming to the end of the fantastic photos Scott Jones took for MotoGPMatters.com at the opening round of MotoGP in Qatar. So enjoy the final shots, as the next race Scott will be attending will be the World Superbike round at Miller Motorsport Park in Utah at the end of May, before he makes it to the Red Bull US GP at Laguna Seca on the 4th of July weekend.
Colin Edwards had a strong weekend, finishing fourth in the delayed race
Andrea Dovizioso put up a fight in the first half of the race, but couldn't hold on to his early pace
If Marco Melandri hadn't gotten so overexcited at the start of the second lap, he could have been well up the field
There was just no stopping Casey Stoner at Qatar ...
... No matter how hard Valentino Rossi tried
Niccolo Canepa struggled in his MotoGP debut
... Fortunately for Canepa, Loris Capirossi crashed out, saving the rookie from the indignity of last place
Randy de Puniet: Sadly for the men, the Frenchman didn't have Playboy sponsorship at Qatar. Sadly for the women, he kept his leathers on all weekend.
Marco Simoncelli's bike didn't leave the pits on race day
Mike di Meglio got on the podium at his first attempt in the 250 class, while Ratthapark Wilairot had an outstanding race to finish 8th on the Honda
But the man of the 250 race was Jules Cluzel on the privateer Matteoni Racing Aprilia. Cluzel replica helmets are surprisingly affordable.
The 2009 Qatar MotoGP race in a single shot: Rain, half-empty grandstands ... and goats, for some reason.
Comments
THANKS!
Great shots Scott! Looking forward to your MMP shots, see you there.
Great pics
As usual, excellent pictures.
Yellow GOATs - must be the Rossi Fan Club (Qatar Branch).
GOAT
Funny, insightful, and absolutely CORRECT comment, cortez...
I just watched "Faster"/"Faster and Faster" and "Doctor/Tornado/Kentucky Kid" again recently, and I always enjoy hearing Colin Edwards' interview where he clearly states that he has only ever called ONE rider the "GOAT"/Greatest Of All Time. It's quite an immense compliment, coming from such a great rider. In any case, Colin does consider there to be only one rider that's the "GOAT".
And yes, it's Rossi.
Excellent observation, cortez.
Awesome!
These really capture the moment! Well done; truly awesome shots.
Speaking of Colin, that shot
Speaking of Colin, that shot of him is incredible. His steely-eyed stare of concentration is caught in amazing--almost unnerving--clarity.
Wow. Unreal.
Marco Melandri
Fantastic pics Scott, never seen a better image of Marco on the Kwacker, the blue exhaust gases! excellent. Just discovered this site and it's great. Looking forward to many more visits, best pics ever!
Thanks
Been a while since I looked at this post, but wanted to say thanks to all who've commented and enjoyed the photographs!