Stoner Pips Rossi At The Australian MotoGP

4 weeks ago 18th Oct 12:29

Casey Stoner beat off rival Valentino Rossi to win the Australian MotoGP

Casey Stoner converted his pole position into taking the chequered flag at Phillips Island as he led from start to finish to pip a determined Valentino Rossi and win his home Australian MotoGP.

Ducati rider Stoner, held off Rossi (Yamaha) to win the Australian MotoGP for the third straight year, Honda's Dani Pedrosa took third place.

Rossi's second place moves him closer to retaining his world title.

Stoner, who started on pole position, showed no sign of the illness that had plagued him mid season in winning Sunday's grand prix by 1.935 seconds.

Twenty four year old Australian Stoner had missed three races through a mystery illness that left him exhausted but after the break he has come back strong finishing second in Portugal and now with a win in Australia.

Stoner told the world press he spent the three races away to fix himself up. adding it was definitely a big step from what he was in the middle of the season.

Rossi's second spot took his total points for the season so far to 270 points in the table, 38 clear of team-mate and closest rival Jorge Lorenzo. Stoner despite his illness and missing three races sits in third on 195 points.

Championship contender Jorge Lorenzo crashed out of the race before the first corner after clipping Stoners Ducati team-mate American Nicky Hayden.

Dani Pedrosa finished third, with Honda team-mate Alex de Angelis of San Marino came fourth. American Colin Edwards (Yamaha) took fifth spot. Pedrosa's performance was all the more incredible considering his spectacular smash in qualifying

Two rounds of the world championship now remain - Malaysia and Valencia - with a maximum of 50 points available.

In the 125cc FemaleFirst favorite Brit Bradley Smith came in second as Spaniard Julian Simon clinched the 125cc world championship after passing British Aprilia team-mate Bradley Smith on the final lap of the race.

Championship leader Valentino Rossi told us after the race "It was the most fun second-place of my career because it was a great battle with Casey,'

Admitting that despite all his efforts Casey rode very well and at the end it was impossible, adding that in the end it came down to tactical decisions with the championship within his grasp and Jorge out of the race it would have been silly to take unnecessary risks.

Australian MotoGP result:
1 Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 40min 56.651secs
2 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 40:58.586
3 Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 41:19.269
4 Alex de Angelis (SM) Honda 41:29.353
5 Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 41:32.536
6 Alex Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 41:35.133
7 Marco Melandri (Ita) Kawasaki 41:41.112
8 Randy de Puniet (Fra) Honda 41:41.592
9 Mika Kallio (Fin) Ducati 41:50.996
10 Toni Elias (Spa) Honda 41:57.856

14 James Toseland (GB) Yamaha 42:14.636
15 Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati +1 laps

Championship standings:
1 Rossi 270 points
2 Lorenzo 232
3 Stoner 195
4 Pedrosa 189
5 Dovizioso 152