Reverend
October 5th, 2008, 20:59 PM
Casey Stoner led from the start to win the Australian MotoGP ahead of new world champion Valentino Rossi, who clinched second from 12th on the grid.
Home favourite Stoner made light of his broken wrist to produce a flawless performance at Phillip Island.
Rossi passed Nicky Hayden on the final lap, leaving the American to settle for the last place on the podium.
Britain's James Toseland finished sixth to equal his best finish in his maiden MotoGP season.
Stoner's victory virtually assures him of second place in the championship after rival Dani Pedrosa failed to finish after crashing on the first lap.
The Spaniard lost control at the first corner, running onto the grass and suffering a spill from which he never recovered.
While Stoner was pleased with his victory, he also reflected on the mistakes that have seen him lose his title to Rossi.
"We've had a bit of an up and down weekend but I was confident for the race," he said. "Nicky (Hayden) was pressing me at the start but he dropped off and I could build an advantage.
"My two crashes is when we really lost the championship but Valentino's ridden really well this season."
Australian MotoGP result:
1. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati
2. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha
3. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
5. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Honda
6. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha
7. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda
8. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha
World Championship Standings:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 332 pts
2. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 245
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 209
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 182
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 145
6. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 131
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 126
8. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki 118
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7652210.stm)
Home favourite Stoner made light of his broken wrist to produce a flawless performance at Phillip Island.
Rossi passed Nicky Hayden on the final lap, leaving the American to settle for the last place on the podium.
Britain's James Toseland finished sixth to equal his best finish in his maiden MotoGP season.
Stoner's victory virtually assures him of second place in the championship after rival Dani Pedrosa failed to finish after crashing on the first lap.
The Spaniard lost control at the first corner, running onto the grass and suffering a spill from which he never recovered.
While Stoner was pleased with his victory, he also reflected on the mistakes that have seen him lose his title to Rossi.
"We've had a bit of an up and down weekend but I was confident for the race," he said. "Nicky (Hayden) was pressing me at the start but he dropped off and I could build an advantage.
"My two crashes is when we really lost the championship but Valentino's ridden really well this season."
Australian MotoGP result:
1. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati
2. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha
3. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha
5. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Honda
6. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha
7. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda
8. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha
World Championship Standings:
1. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 332 pts
2. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 245
3. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 209
4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 182
5. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 145
6. Nicky Hayden (U.S.) Honda 131
7. Colin Edwards (U.S.) Yamaha 126
8. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki 118
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7652210.stm)