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Capirossi wins, Pedrosa shines, Rossi 14th
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-27 10:15
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JEREZ, Spain - Italy's Loris Capirossi held off a determined challenge from debutant Dani Pedrosa to claim a flag-to-flag victory on his Ducati in the season-opening Spanish MotoGP race in Spain on Sunday.
 Italian MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi of Ducati celebrates his victory with an Italian flag on his way to the podium of the Spain Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain March 26, 2006. Capirossi won in 45 minutes 57.733 seconds. [Reuters] |
It was the first time in six seasons that the 27-year-old Italian has not won the opening race of the championship.
Capirossi, who started the race on pole position after setting a lap record in Saturday's qualifying, led into the first bend and rode a near-perfect race as he held off 20-year-old Pedrosa by over four and a half seconds.
"We have the perfect bike and the perfect tyre for the job," said Capirossi, who won back-to-back races in Japan and Malaysia last season. "I hope this is the start of many more victories."
It was still an astonishing performance by second-placed Pedrosa, who won three consecutive world titles in the 125cc and 250cc categories.
He became the first MotoGP debutant to claim a podium race since Max Biaggi and Noriyuki Haga at Suzuka in 1998.
"The truth is I'm very happy, I didn't expect anything like this result," said Pedrosa. "There are still 16 races to go and I think we will get better."
Honda team mate Nicky Hayden of the United States crossed the line in third, with Elias in fourth.
Last season's championship runner-up Marcos Melandri took fifth spot, Australian MotoGP rookie Casey Stoner was sixth ahead of Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano and former world champion Kenny Roberts.
MISERABLE START
Five times champion Rossi, who began at the back of the third row of the grid, suffered a miserable start when Elias caught the back of his bike on the first corner.