The Japanese rider of the Technomag-CIP team scored a superb win on board his Suter prototype in the opening race of the season in Qatar, the first of the new intermediate category. Debón and Cluzel completed the podium.
The World Champion started his title defence in 2010 with victory as Stoner crashed out, in a gripping race that saw Lorenzo join him on the podium. Dovizioso edged out Hayden for a dramatic third place.