Casey Stoner racked up yet another win this season in his bid to win his first World Title. With only six races left, the odds are looking good for the Australian
Casey Stoner scored his third consecutive pole during Saturday’s qualifying session. It turned out that his dominant qualifying form was going to be indicative of the outcome of the race. True enough, the young Australian was untouchable at the head of the field as he led from start to finish. With his seventh win of the season, Stoner not only extended his lead in the championship standings to 60 points but also made history by becoming the highest point scoring driver for Ducati in a single season. With only six races remaining, Stoner seems to be running away with the title this year.
Rizla Suzuki’s John Hopkins meanwhile finished a very impressive second place: the highest finishing position so far in his career. An exellent start from fourth on the grid propelled Hopkins into second position right behind Stoner. The Suzuki rider matched Stoner’s Ducati for most of the first half of the race before Stoner pulled out a 7.9 second margin by the end of the race.
Defending world champion Nicky Hayden was the highest placing Michelin shod runner as he took third place thereby offsetting the disappointment in Laguna Seca. It was the American’s third podium finish in four races indicating a return to form by the Repsol Honda team.
Dani Pedrosa, Hayden’s teammate and last year's winner of the famed BRNO circuit, came in fourth while the other Rizla Suzuki of Chris Vermeulen was fifth. Loris Capirossi riding the other Ducati crossed the line in sixth place.
It was a tough weekend for the Fiat Yamaha team as Valentino Rossi could only manage seventh while Colin Edwards retired early due to engine failure. The team’s woes were already apparent during qualifying as both Rossi and Edwards struggled as they clocked only sixth and ninth fastest times respectively. Come Sunday’s race, Rossi was able to fight back from a poor start by climbing up to fifth pace. The Italaian momentarily looked as though he had the pace to catch up the Repsol Honda Riders ahead of him. Instead, the Fiat Yamaha lost grip as the race progressed. Rossi was unable to keep up the pace and relinquished two places by the end of the race. The result is a huge blow for Rossi who is making a bid to win his eighth title.
Kawasaki’s Randy de Puniet finished behind Rossi in eighth position. Pramac d’Antin’s Alex Barros and Carlos Checa rounded up the top ten.
