MotoGP news

Stoner celebrates second win of season

Casey Stoner took his second victory of the season and the 40th podium of his career today with a dominant display at Donington Park. As a result the reigning MotoGP World Champion moved up a place to third in the championship, closing the gap by five points to series leader Valentino Rossi and by nine to Dani Pedrosa, who finished in second and third place respectively. Yesterday's rain gave way to high winds today but the dry conditions suited Stoner perfectly and the youngster produced a faultless display from the first lap.

"This has been a great weekend for us and it's brilliant to know that we're in a position to fight that little bit harder," said Stoner. "The last three races have gone quite well for us in general but we've taken a big step forward with the new electronic system, which worked so well at the Catalunya test and then here. After a disappointing start to the season since the opening round at Qatar it's nice to feel as though we're back on track and this weekend went well from the start. We kicked off in free practice with some good lap times and it's just got better and better since then, in wet and dry conditions. Today the bike was perfect, even at the end of the race we had really good traction and I want to thank all my team - Filippo, Vitto and all the people at Ducati - for the hard work they are doing. Now we just hope that this new electronic system will work as well at the rest of the tracks as it has done at Catalunya and Donington Park." 

Things were much trickier for Melandri, who was unable to rediscover his positive feeling from the first day and ended up down in sixteenth place. 

"I am so, so disappointed with this and I'm sorry for the team," said Melandri. "Probably the only thing we can do right now is put this Grand Prix behind us and try to think about the next race. In such a difficult situation as this, to not even have two consecutive days with the same weather conditions is a huge obstacle because we just haven't got time to find the right way forward. Today I didn't even get the feeling back that I had on Friday in the dry, which wasn't amazing but definitely better than today. Now we have to reset and start again from zero on Thursday."

more news

• 05 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner dominates home Grand Prix
• 04 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner on pole at home Grand Prix
• 03 Oct.
  • Photos: Friday at Phillip Island
• 02 Oct.
  • Elias to replace Nakano at Gresini
• 28 Sep.
  • Photos: Sunday in Motegi
  • Lorenzo misses out on podium
  • Pedrosa happy with podium
  • Stoner concedes title to Rossi
  • Rossi savours 'hardest fight' for title
  • Rossi takes sixth MotoGP title with victory at Motegi
• 27 Sep.
  • Bug ruins Stoner's shot at pole
  • Lorenzo celebrates stunning pole
  • Rossi disappointed with fourth
  • Photos: Saturday in Motegi
  • Lorenzo on pole at Motegi
• 26 Sep.
  • Photos: Friday in Motegi
  • Rossi looking for more grip
  • Stoner happy with Friday pace
  • Stoner back on top at Montegi practice
  • Dovizioso to join Repsol Honda in 2009
  • JiR to quit MotoGP
• 24 Sep.
  • Rossi aims to wrap up title in Japan
  • Stoner hoping for better result at Montegi
• 15 Sep.
  • Ducati confirms Hayden for 2009
  • Hayden and Honda to split
• 14 Sep.
  • Photos: Sunday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi celebrates making history
  • Stoner reflects on fourth
  • Rossi takes Indianapolis victory
  • Kawasaki confirms Melandri for 2009
• 13 Sep.
  • Photos: Saturday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi beats Stoner to Indy pole
• 12 Sep.
  • Stoner happy despite crash
  • Photos: Friday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi hopes for better weather
  • West finishes wet first day on top
  • West sets early pace in wet
• 09 Sep.
  • Yamaha riders unveil new R1 in Las Vegas

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