Rossi: Stoner was too fast

Polesitter Rossi led the opening lap before Stoner swept past him on the Qatar track's long pits straight.

That move set the tone for the rest of the race, with Rossi sometimes able to repass Stoner in the twisty middle section, only to lose out again on the straight.

In the final laps Stoner was able to pull away and take an ultimately comfortable victory.

"I try and make a lot of effort because in the corner my bike was well balanced," Rossi told BBC television.

"The Yamaha is good at turn in, the engine good for acceleration but Casey today was perfect. The difference on the straight was too much.

"I tried my best and even if I get out of the last corner first he'd overtake me for sure. He was just faster."

But Rossi was not too downcast about finishing second, as it was a significant improvement on his difficult start to the 2006 season.

"A lot better than last year," he admitted. "Pole position, good start, we made the right tyre choice with Michelin, so for sure winning would be better but it was still a good result."