Valentino Rossi scores stunning victory in MotoGP opener

He battled it out with fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso over the final laps, denying the Ducati rider his first victory at this level in a nailbiting finish.

Dovizioso's teammate Andrea Iannone took the final podium place, just ahead of Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who had led on his Yamaha until midway.

Reigning two-time world champion Marc Marquez never recovered from an appalling start which saw him slip back to last, but he battled through the field for fifth on his Honda, just ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa.

But it is the 36-year-old Rossi who took the plaudits, coming from eighth on the grid to take the lead at the Losail International Circuit in Doha.

It was his 83rd win in motorcycling's premier category and in his view one to savor.

Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season

'This was one of the best victories for me,' he told the official MotoGP website.

'The bike was fantastic, I never gave up but it was a real fight with the Ducatis and the Hondas who were really strong.'

Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event.

Read: Can anyone stop Marquez from three-peat?

Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. 'The bike was fantastic, I never gave up but it was a real fight with the Ducatis and the Hondas who were really strong.' 'This was one of the best victories for me,' he told the official MotoGP website. Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season Reigning two-time world champion Marc Marquez never recovered from an appalling start which saw him slip back to last, but he battled through the field for fifth on his Honda, just ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa. It was his 83rd win in motorcycling's premier category and in his view one to savor. It was his 83rd win in motorcycling's premier category and in his view one to savor. 'The bike was fantastic, I never gave up but it was a real fight with the Ducatis and the Hondas who were really strong.' 'The bike was fantastic, I never gave up but it was a real fight with the Ducatis and the Hondas who were really strong.' Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season 'The bike was fantastic, I never gave up but it was a real fight with the Ducatis and the Hondas who were really strong.' Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season Dovizioso's teammate Andrea Iannone took the final podium place, just ahead of Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who had led on his Yamaha until midway. Read: Can anyone stop Marquez from three-peat? Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season But it is the 36-year-old Rossi who took the plaudits, coming from eighth on the grid to take the lead at the Losail International Circuit in Doha. He battled it out with fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso over the final laps, denying the Ducati rider his first victory at this level in a nailbiting finish. Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season He battled it out with fellow Italian Andrea Dovizioso over the final laps, denying the Ducati rider his first victory at this level in a nailbiting finish. Read: Can anyone stop Marquez from three-peat? Reigning two-time world champion Marc Marquez never recovered from an appalling start which saw him slip back to last, but he battled through the field for fifth on his Honda, just ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa. 'This was one of the best victories for me,' he told the official MotoGP website. Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. 'The bike was fantastic, I never gave up but it was a real fight with the Ducatis and the Hondas who were really strong.' Reigning two-time world champion Marc Marquez never recovered from an appalling start which saw him slip back to last, but he battled through the field for fifth on his Honda, just ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa. Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. Read: Can anyone stop Marquez from three-peat? Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. It was his 83rd win in motorcycling's premier category and in his view one to savor. But it is the 36-year-old Rossi who took the plaudits, coming from eighth on the grid to take the lead at the Losail International Circuit in Doha. Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. It was his 83rd win in motorcycling's premier category and in his view one to savor. Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. Reigning two-time world champion Marc Marquez never recovered from an appalling start which saw him slip back to last, but he battled through the field for fifth on his Honda, just ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa. Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season Read: Five things to watch for in 2015 MotoGP season Earlier, Germany's Jonas Folger won the Moto2 race, while Alexis Masbou of France took the Moto3 event. It was his 83rd win in motorcycling's premier category and in his view one to savor.

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