Reverend
April 22nd, 2007, 18:14 PM
Ducati's Casey Stoner streaked to victory at the Turkish MotoGP to take the overall lead from Valentino Rossi in the world championship standings.
The Australian won in 42 minutes 2.85 seconds to move 10 points clear of Rossi, who was 10th after appearing to struggle with a rear tyre problem.
Spain's Tony Elias took second for Honda while Stoner's Italian team-mate Loris Capirossi finished in third.
A big collision on lap one saw Colin Edwards and Dani Pedrosa crash out.
Rossi started on pole but his race plan was upset when he veered off during an early turn into the grass.
The Italian five-time world champion tenaciously fought his way back up to second behind Stoner with 14 laps to go but fell back out of contention.
"We are very disappointed because we had high expectations, but instead we had some unexpected problems with the tyre and it's been a disaster," said Rossi.
He also criticised the riding of Elias.
"I'm also quite unhappy with Elias because I think he was quite dangerous - more than once he passed me on the inside and then altered his line. This is not a correct way to race," he said.
Stoner said: "I got past Colin Edwards quickly on the first lap and then Valentino Rossi when he went too wide on a corner.
"Then once in front I just went into a mental blockout for the next two laps and that enabled me to stay focused."
Turkish MotoGP:
1. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati
2. Toni Elias (Spa) Honda
3. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati
4. Alex Barros (Bzl) Ducati
5. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda
6. John Hopkins (US) Suzuki
7. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda
8. Randy de Puniet (Fra) Kawasaki
Championship standings:
1. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 61 pts
2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 51
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 36
4. Toni Elias (Spa) Honda 35
5. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 30
6. Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 26
7. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda 26
8. Alex Barros (Bzl) Ducati 25
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6581505.stm)
The Australian won in 42 minutes 2.85 seconds to move 10 points clear of Rossi, who was 10th after appearing to struggle with a rear tyre problem.
Spain's Tony Elias took second for Honda while Stoner's Italian team-mate Loris Capirossi finished in third.
A big collision on lap one saw Colin Edwards and Dani Pedrosa crash out.
Rossi started on pole but his race plan was upset when he veered off during an early turn into the grass.
The Italian five-time world champion tenaciously fought his way back up to second behind Stoner with 14 laps to go but fell back out of contention.
"We are very disappointed because we had high expectations, but instead we had some unexpected problems with the tyre and it's been a disaster," said Rossi.
He also criticised the riding of Elias.
"I'm also quite unhappy with Elias because I think he was quite dangerous - more than once he passed me on the inside and then altered his line. This is not a correct way to race," he said.
Stoner said: "I got past Colin Edwards quickly on the first lap and then Valentino Rossi when he went too wide on a corner.
"Then once in front I just went into a mental blockout for the next two laps and that enabled me to stay focused."
Turkish MotoGP:
1. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati
2. Toni Elias (Spa) Honda
3. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati
4. Alex Barros (Bzl) Ducati
5. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda
6. John Hopkins (US) Suzuki
7. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda
8. Randy de Puniet (Fra) Kawasaki
Championship standings:
1. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 61 pts
2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 51
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 36
4. Toni Elias (Spa) Honda 35
5. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 30
6. Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 26
7. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda 26
8. Alex Barros (Bzl) Ducati 25
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6581505.stm)