Capirossi wins, Pedrosa shines, Rossi 14th

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 yesterday.

World champion Valentino Rossi, bidding for a sixth consecutive crown in the premier class, finished way back in 14th place after being knocked off his Yamaha on the opening corner by Spain's Toni Elias.

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 had 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.

Honda team-mate Nicky Hayden of the United States crossed the line in third, with Elias fourth.

Last season's championship runner-up Marco Melandri took fifth spot, Australian MotoGP rookie Casey Stoner was sixth ahead of Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano and former world champion Kenny Roberts.

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.

The Italian got back on his bike after a shake of his fist and resumed the race but had to struggle on without a foot-rest and a broken brake lever.

Capirossi, meanwhile, stormed off the front of the grid with Ducati team-mate Sete Gibernau and Honda riders Hayden, Pedrosa and Melandri in pursuit.

Spain's Gibernau had to retire after what appeared to be an electrical problem with his bike on lap three.

Pedrosa broke clear of the chasing pack to set off in pursuit of Capirossi and gradually ate into the Italian's lead. Capirossi, 12 years Pedrosa's senior, kept him at bay until 10 laps to go when the Spaniard reeled him in and tucked in behind the Ducati.

But the experienced Italian, a former 125cc and 250cc world champion, cranked up the pace with four laps to go to see off his younger rival.

Spanish double

The 130,000 fans at Jerez were given plenty more to cheer about earlier in the day with Spanish riders winning the opening two races.

Alvaro Bautista won his first ever grand prix in the 125cc race ahead of pole-sitter Lukas Pesek of the Czech Republic and Italy's Mattia Pasini.

Jorge Lorenzo followed up with his first victory in the 250s, crossing the line almost five seconds ahead of Alex de Angelis and Andrea Dovizioso.