Reverend
September 1st, 2008, 17:27 PM
Valentino Rossi's title hopes increased after he won the San Marino MotoGP and rival Casey Stoner failed to finish for the second successive race.
Australian Stoner, who started on pole despite fracturing his hand on Friday, misjudged a corner, lost control and crashed out on lap six in Misano.
That left Italian Rossi in the lead and the Yamaha rider roared home to extend his championship lead to 75 points.
Rossi's victory equalled fellow Italian Giacomo Agostini's record of 68 wins.
Rossi's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo clinched second and the final place on the podium went to Toni Elias.
But the story of the race was undoubtedly Stoner's crash, which virtually ends his hopes of retaining his title with still five races to go, and Rossi's astonishing record-equalling feat.
Pole-sitter Stoner got a storming start and quickly set about putting distance between himself and the rest.
Rossi slipped to third after being overtaken by Pedrosa, but regained his position on the second lap and set his sights on preventing Stoner from getting away.
He need not have worried as Stoner lost control of his front end only four laps later, snapping his handlebar in the crash, and his race was over.
It left a clear path for Rossi and he never look liked failing to make the most of his good fortune.
San Marino MotoGP Result:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
3. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati
4. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda
5. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki
6. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha
7. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki
8. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda
Championship standings:
1. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 262 pts
2. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 187
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 185
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 140
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 118
6. Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 110
7. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 108
8. Shinya Nakano (Jpn) Honda 87
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7590637.stm)
Australian Stoner, who started on pole despite fracturing his hand on Friday, misjudged a corner, lost control and crashed out on lap six in Misano.
That left Italian Rossi in the lead and the Yamaha rider roared home to extend his championship lead to 75 points.
Rossi's victory equalled fellow Italian Giacomo Agostini's record of 68 wins.
Rossi's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo clinched second and the final place on the podium went to Toni Elias.
But the story of the race was undoubtedly Stoner's crash, which virtually ends his hopes of retaining his title with still five races to go, and Rossi's astonishing record-equalling feat.
Pole-sitter Stoner got a storming start and quickly set about putting distance between himself and the rest.
Rossi slipped to third after being overtaken by Pedrosa, but regained his position on the second lap and set his sights on preventing Stoner from getting away.
He need not have worried as Stoner lost control of his front end only four laps later, snapping his handlebar in the crash, and his race was over.
It left a clear path for Rossi and he never look liked failing to make the most of his good fortune.
San Marino MotoGP Result:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha
2. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
3. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati
4. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda
5. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki
6. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha
7. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki
8. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda
Championship standings:
1. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 262 pts
2. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 187
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 185
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 140
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 118
6. Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 110
7. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 108
8. Shinya Nakano (Jpn) Honda 87
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7590637.stm)