MotoGP: Stoner fastest in Jerez qualifying shootout, wins BMW Z4 M Roadster

It's last year's story all over again - one mega-fast Aussie, and two ex-world champs who just can't keep up with him!

Reigning MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner has made it very clear that it won’t be easy – for The Doctor or for anyone else – to take his crown away from him this year. The young Aussie proved to be the fastest in a 40-minute qualifying session at Jerez, winning the BMW Z4 M Roadster that was up for grabs as the prize.

Stoner, who won all of 10 races last year on his way to winning the 2007 MotoGP world championship, set a best time of 1:49:263 at Jerez, in the rain. And even though track conditions improved later on, no other rider could beat Stoner’s time. In second place was Rossi, with a best time of 1:50:580, while Nicky Hayden was third-fastest, with a 1:50:785. Fiat Yamaha’s new rider for 2008, Jorge Lorenzo was in last place, with a best time of 1:53:292.

‘This is fantastic. Last year we did an amazing job in all the qualifying sessions during the season and I was able to take a car at the end of it, so to start out 2008 in the same way is great,’ said Stoner. ‘It was fun because it's a bit of competition, and not just because there was a car on the line. We could've been racing for a piece of bubblegum and everybody would've tried just as hard,’ said Hayden.

Also see:
HUGE collection of hi-res MotoGP wallpaper here and here
Sheene tribute: Chris Vermeulen-replica Suzuki GSX-R1000
Aprilia RS3 Cube: F1 tech in MotoGP?
Hardcore: The amazing MV Agusta F4 Veltro Pista...
Face off: The world's fastest bike vs the world's fastest man!
Wild rides: MotoGP vs Bullfighting!!

External links:
Aprilia Shiver 750 image gallery
Flickr: Women in motorcycling! ;-D

After two years of losing out to Hayden and then Stoner, can The Doctor really come back to win the MotoGP world championship this year? We hope he does!