Casey Stoner has finally made the most of his return back home by winning the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix and clinching the 2011 title at the same time.

For Stoner, it was his fifth consecutive victory at Phillip Island, proving that he was unbeatable in front of his local supporters.

After Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) was injured following a warm-up crash that left him unable to take the start, the Australian had only to finish 6th to take the championship.

But the Honda rider took off right from the start from pole and by lap 4 had already created a gap of more than four seconds over his pursuers.

This ninth win of the year of the 2012 MotoGP season gave him his first championship since 2007 and also marked Honda's first riders' title of the 800cc era.

Marco Simoncelli had the best finish of his MotoGP career as he ended up in second place following a late charge on Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) on the final lap.

Dani Pedrosa (Honda), who had been right in the fight with Dovizioso, was another to back off in the rain and had to settle for fourth.

Rain caused some major problems for some riders as Alvaro Bautista crashed as did Cal Crutchlow (Tech 3 Yamaha), Hiroshi Aoyama (Gresini) and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Ducati).

Colin Edwards brought his Tech 3 Yamaha up to fifth by the flag.

Valentino Rossi crashed his Ducati out at mid-distance, losing the front end of his bike after trying to pass Bautista.

Pos Rider Team Time
1. Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 42m02.425s
2. Marco Simoncelli San Carlo Honda Gresini + 2.210
3. Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team + 2.454
4. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team + 13.160
5. Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 + 30.886
6. Randy De Puniet Pramac Racing Team + 48.800
7. Nicky Hayden Ducati Team + 1:16.314
8. Toni Elias LCR Honda MotoGP + 1 lap
9. Loris Capirossi Pramac Racing Team + 1 lap
10. Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing + 2 laps

Retirements:

Rider Team Laps
Alvaro Bautista Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 4 laps
Hiroshi Aoyama San Carlo Honda Gresini 4 laps
Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 4 laps
Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 14 laps