UPDATE 1-Motorcycling-Rain forces postponement of Qatar MotoGP

(adds race rescheduled for Monday)

DOHA, April 12 (Reuters) - The season-opening Qatar MotoGP was postponed on Sunday because of adverse weather.

Race officials said the race will now take place on Monday with a start time of 1800 GMT.

Qatar's Losail International Circuit on the outskirts of Doha was lashed by heavy rain on Sunday evening, forcing the postponement of the night-time race.

The 125cc race and 250cc Grand Prix were shortened but the main showpiece was unable to get underway.

Australian Casey Stoner, on a Ducati, will start on pole position on Monday ahead of six-times world champion Valentino Rossi and the Italian's Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo of Spain.

(Reporting by Dania Saadi; editing by Justin Palmer

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