Reverend
May 6th, 2007, 19:30 PM
Ducati's Casey Stoner saw off the challenge of Valentino Rossi to win the China Grand Prix and extend his MotoGP championship lead to 15 points.
The Australian took the lead from Rossi at the start of the second lap and his victory was assured when the Italian went wide around a corner on lap 16.
The 21-year-old finished the 22-lap race in 44 minutes 12.891 seconds, more than three seconds ahead of Rossi. American John Hopkins finished third for Suzuki and his first podium finish.
Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden of the United States suffered a spectacular spin on the second lap, but recovered to finish 12th.
Stoner now tops the riders' standings with 86 points to Rossi's 71.
He said: "It was a very difficult race with a lot of pressure from Valentino behind. Then he made a mistake and I was able to hold on. It was another big day for us."
Rossi, who started from pole and managed to pass Stoner several times on corners before being pegged back on the straights, insisted he was satisfied with second place.
"I tried to attack him," said the 28-year-old. "I'm happy because this track was always going to be difficult for us and we have 20 points."
Last year's winner Dani Pedrosa of Spain won a duel for fourth place with fellow Honda rider Marco Melandri of Italy while Stoner's Italian team-mate Loris Capirossi was sixth on the other works Ducati.
China MotoGP:
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha
3. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda
5. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati
7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki
8. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki
Championship standings:
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 86 pts
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 71
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 49
4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda 41
5. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 39
6. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda 35
7. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 31
8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 30
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6629435.stm)
The Australian took the lead from Rossi at the start of the second lap and his victory was assured when the Italian went wide around a corner on lap 16.
The 21-year-old finished the 22-lap race in 44 minutes 12.891 seconds, more than three seconds ahead of Rossi. American John Hopkins finished third for Suzuki and his first podium finish.
Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden of the United States suffered a spectacular spin on the second lap, but recovered to finish 12th.
Stoner now tops the riders' standings with 86 points to Rossi's 71.
He said: "It was a very difficult race with a lot of pressure from Valentino behind. Then he made a mistake and I was able to hold on. It was another big day for us."
Rossi, who started from pole and managed to pass Stoner several times on corners before being pegged back on the straights, insisted he was satisfied with second place.
"I tried to attack him," said the 28-year-old. "I'm happy because this track was always going to be difficult for us and we have 20 points."
Last year's winner Dani Pedrosa of Spain won a duel for fourth place with fellow Honda rider Marco Melandri of Italy while Stoner's Italian team-mate Loris Capirossi was sixth on the other works Ducati.
China MotoGP:
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha
3. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda
5. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati
7. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki
8. Randy de Puniet (FRA) Kawasaki
Championship standings:
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 86 pts
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 71
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 49
4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda 41
5. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 39
6. Toni Elias (SPA) Honda 35
7. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 31
8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 30
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6629435.stm)