Casey Stoner (Ducati) dominated his home Grand Prix with a thrilling win at Phillip Island, after fighting off a persistent Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) throughout the race.

Rossi’s second place did help him pad his lead in the rider’s World Championship, especially as main rival and team-mate Jorge Lorenzo fell at the start, running into Nicki Hayden (Ducati), who continued on while the Spaniard abandoned the race right there.

Dani Pedrosa (Honda) got the hole shot (as usual lately) but was quickly passed and left for dead by Stoner and Rossi. The last two world champions ran less than a second apart for the first 20 laps and while the Italian tried to pass the Australian, the Ducati had the speed to pull clear in the final corners.

Pedrosa followed in third, after a race-long battle with Alex de Angelis (Honda) and Colin Edwards (Yamaha), who completed the top 5.

The next MotoGP round will be held in Malaysia on October 25.

MotoGP Australia - Results
Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1. Casey Stoner Ducati 40m56.651s
2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha + 1.935s
3. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 22.618s
4. Alex de Angelis Honda + 32.702s
5. Colin Edwards Yamaha + 35.885s
Etc….

MotoGP Standings – After round 15 of 17
Pos. Rider Points
1.Valentino Rossi 270
2. Jorge Lorenzo 232
3. Casey Stoner 195
4. Dani Pedrosa 189
5. Andrea Davizioso 152









Photo Credit : Ducati