MotoGP news

Rossi overcomes Stoner to win at Laguna Seca

Championship leader Valentino Rossi overcame Casey Stoner's dominance of the weekend so far to win the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca for the first time. Stoner ended up bringing his Ducati home in second place. 

Rossi had a storming start and his best pace of the weekend to beat Stoner to the Australian's attempts to take a fourth straight win. Stoner looked to just have the measure of Rossi until lap 24 when under continued pressure he ran wide onto the gravel, and a fall. The error let Rossi through, but Stoner picked his bike back up and rejoined to finish second.

Last year's Laguna Seca runner up Chris Vermeulen finished third overall, confirming the pace he showed during practice. Andrea Dovizioso fended off Nicky Hayden until the chequered flag to take fourth place ahead of the Repsol Honda rider. 

Randy de Puniet finished sixth, the same as he did here in 2007 while Elias, Spies, Toseland and Nakano rounded off the top ten. 

Jorge Lorenzo's first visit to Laguna Seca ended in disaster as he highsided on the opening lap, picking up a fractured third metatarsal in his left big toe. 

Rossi's win puts him 25 points clear in the championship ahead of Stoner, who moves into second. Pedrosa drops to third having sat out this race through injury.

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• 05 Sep.
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• 01 Sep.
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  • Photos: Sunday in Misano
• 31 Aug.
  • Pedrosa happy with fourth
  • Stoner bitterly disappointed
  • Rossi delighted with record-equalling win
  • Lorenzo celebrates return to podium
  • Win puts Rossi 75 points clear
  • Hayden to sit out San Marino GP
  • Stoner fastest in warm up
• 30 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Misano
  • Stoner extends record with seventh straight pole
  • Pedrosa satisfied with second row
  • Lorenzo happy to be back
  • Rossi ready for another battle with Stoner
  • Stoner storms to last gasp pole
  • Stoner still fastest on Saturday morning
• 29 Aug.
  • Stoner confident despite aggrevating injury
  • Positive start for Rossi
  • Improvement for Lorenzo
  • Stoner fastest on Friday
  • Stoner sets morning pace
• 26 Aug.
  • Stoner determined to bounce back
  • Gresini riders aim high for Misano
• 22 Aug.
  • Repsol Honda back to full strength
• 20 Aug.
  • Melandri confirms Kawasaki move
• 19 Aug.
  • Nakano wraps up positive test for Gresini
  • Stoner ends test with threatening pace
  • Rossi confident for final rounds after test
• 18 Aug.
  • Good test ends strong weekend for Rossi
  • Ducati top test with Stoner
• 17 Aug.
  • Dismal end to disappointing weekend for Pedrosa
  • Stoner rues costly mistake
  • Encouraging results for Gresini
  • Rossi celebrates crucial victory
  • Rossi storms to win as Stoner crashes
  • Stoner still ahead in warm-up
• 16 Aug.
  • Photos: Saturday in Brno
  • Pedrosa struggles in qualifying

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