Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo on his way to victory last night.

Spain’s double world champion Jorge Lorenzo drew first blood by taking the MotoGP floodlit season opener from pole in Qatar last night as Italian great Valentino Rossi stormed to second.

Lorenzo finished 5.990 seconds ahead of his Italian team-mate, seven-times the premier class world champion, who had started seventh on the grid.

“I’m very happy because Valentino came back to Yamaha. It’s the best result for Yamaha,” Lorenzo told reporters in the pitlane as an exuberant Rossi passed by to roars of approval.

Rossi, back on a Yamaha after two years at Ducati, won a great tussle with 20-year-old Honda new boy Marc Marquez as the pair exchanged daring passes in the closing stages before the 34-year-old kept the Spanish hotshot at bay on the final lap.

“This was my target to arrive on the podium from November of last season.

“It could have been easier apart from the mistake at the beginning with (Dani) Pedrosa,” said Rossi, clearly elated after two miserable years away from Yamaha.

“The bike was fantastic and I think we can enjoy this season.”

Marquez was also grinning from ear to ear after pushing his boyhood idol all the way in a thrilling opener.

“It was so nice to be with him, a great battle,” said Marquez.

Fellow Spaniard and title favourite Dani Pedrosa came fourth, 9.473 seconds behind Lorenzo while Briton Cal Crutchlow was slumped in the non-works Tech 3 Yamaha garage after finishing fifth having started second.

Spain’s Pol Espargaro won the Moto2 race and compatriot Luis Salom triumphed in the Moto3.

The second event of the season is the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin on April 21.