Reverend
May 20th, 2007, 19:19 PM
Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen enjoyed his maiden MotoGP win in a rain-swept French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
The Australian was followed home by Marco Melandri while Casey Stoner's third place increased his lead over Valentino Rossi in the title race.
Rossi was sixth while world champion Nicky Hayden was lying fourth with two laps to go but then crashed out.
Seven riders did not finish the race because of the treacherous conditions with polesitter Colin Edwards the last of the 12 riders to finish.
Stoner now leads Rossi in the overall standings by 21 points.
With drizzle turning into heavier rain 20 laps from the finish line, front-runners Sylvain Guintoli, Randy De Puniet and Toni Elias all crashed out.
And Vermeulen said: "When I saw all those riders on the ground I just tried to keep it together.
"Deciding when to come to the pits and change tyres was the hardest part. I must admit I followed my instincts, I did not really think.
"Then I saw my lead increase until Marco came closer but I realised he was at the limit."
French MotoGP:
1. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki
2. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda
5 Alex Hofmann (Ger) Ducati
6. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha
7. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki
8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati
Championship standings:
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 102 pts
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 81
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 62
4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda 61
5. Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 55
6. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 48
7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 38
8. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 35
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6674255.stm)
The Australian was followed home by Marco Melandri while Casey Stoner's third place increased his lead over Valentino Rossi in the title race.
Rossi was sixth while world champion Nicky Hayden was lying fourth with two laps to go but then crashed out.
Seven riders did not finish the race because of the treacherous conditions with polesitter Colin Edwards the last of the 12 riders to finish.
Stoner now leads Rossi in the overall standings by 21 points.
With drizzle turning into heavier rain 20 laps from the finish line, front-runners Sylvain Guintoli, Randy De Puniet and Toni Elias all crashed out.
And Vermeulen said: "When I saw all those riders on the ground I just tried to keep it together.
"Deciding when to come to the pits and change tyres was the hardest part. I must admit I followed my instincts, I did not really think.
"Then I saw my lead increase until Marco came closer but I realised he was at the limit."
French MotoGP:
1. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki
2. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda
5 Alex Hofmann (Ger) Ducati
6. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha
7. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki
8. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati
Championship standings:
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 102 pts
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha 81
3. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Honda 62
4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Honda 61
5. Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 55
6. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 48
7. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Ducati 38
8. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 35
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/6674255.stm)