Stoner clinches first world title

Casey Stoner secured his first MotoGP world title at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

 

Stoner started the race in ninth place after qualifying

 

Ducati rider Stoner only needed to finish ahead of Yamaha's Valentino Rossi to claim the championship with three races remaining.

And with Rossi struggling back in 13th, sixth place was enough for 21-year-old Stoner to bag the points he needed.

Italian Loris Capirossi won the race on a Ducati ahead of Frenchman Randy De Puniet in second place.

 

Stoner, who claimed eight championship wins over the season, stretched his lead over five-times world champion Rossi to an unbeatable 83 to become the second youngest ever MotoGP title winner.

Starting ninth on the grid, he made a flying start on the wet track and moved up to fourth ahead of Rossi at the first corner. Anthony West also made a storming start but was forced to take a ride-through penalty after jumping the start.

 

 

Rossi slipped to seventh at the back of the leading pack, but quickly closed the gap on Stoner and passed the Australian with 12 laps remaining as both riders opted to remain out on wet tyres as the track began to dry.

Stoner switched bikes to slick tyres with 10 laps remaining and Rossi responded a lap later, with the Australian dropping back to eighth and the Italian slotting into second place behind compatriot Capirossi.

 

But Rossi was forced to pull into the pit lane for a second time with eight to go with an apparent front end problem, which saw him slip down the standings as Stoner comfortably cruised home to take the crown ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in three weeks time.

Capirossi secured a hat-trick of victories at Motegi in 47 minutes 05.484 seconds ahead of Randy De Puniet by 10.853secs, with Toni Elias third. Sylvain Guintoli finished fourth ahead of Marco Melandri.

 

 

"I have been working for this for so long and it's difficult to know how to react," Stoner said. "It's more relief than anything.

 

 

"The race was really hard, nothing seemed to be going right and I thought I'd have to postpone things for another race.

 

"But Valentino also had his problems and somehow we managed to stay in front of him, which was the aim of the game.

 

"Over the last few laps I was just trying to stay focused on the job in hand and bring it home for my team."

 

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MotoGP championship standings after the Japanese Grand Prix

1. Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 297*

2. Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 214

3. Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 188

4. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki 156

5. Chris Vermeulen (Aus) Suzuki 152

6. Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 148

7. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Ducati 130

8. Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda 112

9. Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 108

10. Alex Barros (Bra) Ducati 91

* clinched world title

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7008950.stm

It seems that not much people here who like MotoGP. I've looked around for its thread but couldn't find any. So I think I'll make one. :D

 

I know this is a bit too late now that MotoGP 2007 season is almost over and we all know who win the title.

 

Casey Stoner is the MotoGP champion for 2007. Though I support Valentino Rossi, but he (Stoner) deserve to win. His performances were great this season, incredible if I may say. On the contrary, Rossi was disappointing. He often didn't finish the race due to problems with the tires. So sad, it made me mad. :angry:

 

MotoGP 2008 will be very interesting with Stoner, Pedrosa, and Rossi compete in full strength and capability to win, hopefully. :worried:

Gabor Tamlmacsi is the king

There are some superbikes at Thruxton this weekend, not sure which series it is though.