Stoner wins Japan MotoGP

Casey Stoner grabs his second straight victory despite difficulties setting up his Ducati.

MOTEGI: Casey Stoner won the Japanese Grand Prix as he grabbed his second straight victory despite difficulties setting up his Ducati throughout the weekend.

The 2007 world champion clocked 43 minutes and 12.266 seconds, 3.868 seconds ahead of pole-position starter Andrea Dovizioso and 5.707 seconds faster than reigning champion Valentino Rossi. Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo came fourth, after losing a battle with Rossi in the final stages of the race.

Stoner called the victory an “upset” after his team had failed to find the correct set up for his machine in “a disaster weekend”. “It’s obvious the bike really isn’t perfect for this track. And to come out and still win this was just awesome for me and for the team and for everybody,” said Stoner.

The highlight of the race came as the two Yamaha riders, Rossi and Lorenzo, staged a brilliant duel with two laps remaining. Riding side by side, their bikes touched as they overtook each other at successive corners during the final lap. But Rossi, despite shoulder pains, had the final say.

Stoner’s victory, however, has not changed Lorenzo’s strong position in the overall championship standings. With only four races remaining Lorenzo can secure the season title with a solid showing in the Malaysian Grand Prix next weekend and if second-ranked Dani Pedrosa misses the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2010.