Casey Stoner has won his second MotoGP world title after claiming victory at Phillip Island today.
The Honda rider, celebrating his 26th birthday today, survived a late heavy shower to take the win, giving him enough points to wrap up another title, adding to his success in 2007.
Stoner’s run to the title became easier this morning when his closest rival Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) lost the ring finger of his left hand in a warm-up crash. CLICK HERE for more on Lorenzo’s incident.
Stoner had the ideal race, leading off the start line and heading the field in every lap of the race.
It means that in five years at Phillip Island, Stoner has led every lap bar one.
Marco Simoncelli (Gresini Honda) finished a distant second, after a terrific late dice with Stoner’s factory Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso.
Rounding out the top 10 was Dani Pedrosa (Honda), Colin Edwards (Tech 3 Yamaha), Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Team), Nicky Hayden (Ducati), Toni Elias (LCR Honda MotoGP), Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing Team) and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing).
The late rain saw a number of riders come unstuck, including Suzuki’s Alvaro Bautista who was running comfortably in sixth place until he slipped off the road at Turn 12.
The final round of the world title heads to Malaysia next weekend.
See below for results of the Phillip Island MotoGP.
Pos. | Points | Num. | Rider | Nation | Team | Bike | Km/h | Time/Gap |
1 | 25 | 27 | Casey STONER | AUS | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 171.4 | 42’02.425 |
2 | 20 | 58 | Marco SIMONCELLI | ITA | San Carlo Honda Gresini | Honda | 171.3 | +2.210 |
3 | 16 | 4 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | ITA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 171.2 | +2.454 |
4 | 13 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 170.5 | +13.160 |
5 | 11 | 5 | Colin EDWARDS | USA | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 169.3 | +30.886 |
6 | 10 | 14 | Randy DE PUNIET | FRA | Pramac Racing Team | Ducati | 168.1 | +48.800 |
7 | 9 | 69 | Nicky HAYDEN | USA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 166.4 | +1’16.314 |
8 | 8 | 24 | Toni ELIAS | SPA | LCR Honda MotoGP | Honda | 164.9 | 1 Lap |
9 | 7 | 65 | Loris CAPIROSSI | ITA | Pramac Racing Team | Ducati | 164.6 | 1 Lap |
10 | 6 | 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | CZE | Cardion AB Motoracing | Ducati | 156.1 | 2 Laps |
Not Classified | ||||||||
19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | SPA | Rizla Suzuki MotoGP | Suzuki | 171.9 | 4 Laps | ||
7 | Hiroshi AOYAMA | JPN | San Carlo Honda Gresini | Honda | 170.6 | 4 Laps | ||
35 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | GBR | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 170.6 | 4 Laps | ||
46 | Valentino ROSSI | ITA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 172.2 | 14 Laps |