Stoner’s Sixth Clinches Title
Teammate Capirossi Wins in Motegi
23/09/07 - It was a good day for the Ducati Marlboro team. Stoner clinched the title while teammate Loris Capirossi completed his hat-trick of victories in Motegi.
All Casey Stoner needed was to outpoint Rossi once in the remaining races to win the world championship. The tricky conditions during the A-style Grand Prix of Japan certainly helped the 21 year-old Australian rider to do just that.
Following the morning showers over Motegi, the riders were forced to change bikes mid-race to accommodate the drying circuit. It was apparent that Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi was having tire problems. He had to enter the pits twice, losing more time in the process. Rossi thus crossed the line in 13th place effectively handing the title to Casey Stoner who cruised in sixth place.
Kawasaki’s Randy de Puniet secured his first podium finish when he crossed the line in second place behind Italian veteran Loris Capirossi. Honda Gresini’s Toni Elias finished a commendable third place despite continuing pain from his Assen injury.
Sylvain Guintoli took his best-ever premier class finish in fourth place just 0.666s behind Toni Elias.
Honda Gresini’s Marco Melandri crossed the line in fifth place. Kawasaki’s Anthony West on the other hand finished seventh despite a drive-through penalty issued to him for jumping the start.
Pramac d’Antin’s Alex Barros, Repsol Honda rider and 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden, and Rizla Suzuki’s John Hopkins finished eighth, ninth and tenth respectively. Pole sitter Dani Pedrosa did not finish after crashing out during lap 15.
There is no question that Casey Stoner was going to win this year’s title sooner or later. However, even the young Australian was surprised to clinch the championship this Grand Prix with three races remaining. In doing so, Stoner became the second youngest driver to win the title at the age of 21 years and 342 days.
Such is an amazing feat if not anti-climactic. After so many close races throughout the season, one would expect the title to be won through a fierce struggle between Stoner and Rossi battling it out for first place. Instead, Stoner clinched the title in the most unlikely finish in sixth place as Rossi limped to 13th place.
Although the manner of winning the title was not fitting for an aggressive rider like Stoner, it is an undoubtedly a much deserved title for him and for the Ducati Marlboro team. The Australian ace drove brilliantly and intelligently throughout the season. The Ducati on the other hand was powerful, reliable and very compatible with the Bridgestone tires. Their team basically spells out “world champion” and they proved it this race.
