Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

watch listen BBC Sport BBC Sport
Low graphics|Help
Last Updated: Sunday, 14 October 2007, 08:06 GMT 09:06 UK
Stoner takes victory in home race
World Champion Casey Stoner
Stoner won his first world title in Japan last month
World champion Casey Stoner led from the first lap to claim a dominant victory in front of his home fans at the Australian MotoGP on Sunday.

The 21-year-old started third on the grid but surged into the lead to take his ninth victory of the season.

The Australian finished ahead of his Ducati team-mate Loris Capirossi with Yamaha's Valentino Rossi in third.

Stoner, who won his first world title in Japan, became the first home winner in Australia since Mick Doohan in 1998.

"To get the championship before this round I think was perfect for me," said Stoner. "I could really enjoy this race.

"The race worked out perfectly for us. We got a great start and I led it from start to finish - the bike was working beautifully so it was just a matter of bringing it home.

"Nicky (Hayden) was really good - I wasn't able to pull away from him and I was trying reasonably hard, then he started to drop off and it increased my freedom a little bit more to increase the gap, and we just held them off from there."

Rossi said he had felt capable of catching Stoner until tyre problems forced him to ease off.

"I pushed very hard and after 10 laps I thought it was possible to stay close until we lost a lot of grip," he said.

Australian MotoGP Grand Prix results, Phillip Island
1. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 41mins 12.244secs
2. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati 41:19.007
3. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 41:22.282
4. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 41:23.907
5. Alex Barros (Bra) Ducati 41:31.719
6 Randy De Puniet (Fra) Kawasaki 41:39.557
7. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 41:41.487
8. Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 41:47.077
9. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 41:47.317
10. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 41:49.215

Rossi unhappy with Yamaha effort
13 Oct 07 |  Motorsport
Steve Parrish's MotoGP column
11 Oct 07 |  Motorbikes
Stoner clinches first world title
23 Sep 07 |  Motorbikes
MotoGP standings
14 Oct 07 |  Motorbikes


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

