motorcyles

Rossi wins duel against Stoner

Monday 21 July 2008

Italy's Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) claimed his fourth win of the season at the US Grand Prix, ahead of Australian title-holder Casey Stoner (Ducati) who had won the three previous ones. 'Il Dottore' extended his overall standings lead.

MONTEREY, California, July 20 (Reuters) - Four-time world
MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi ended Australian Casey Stoner's
winning streak on Sunday with victory at the U.S. MotoGP.
 

Rossi, who also has world titles in the 500cc, 250cc and
125cc classes, negotiated the 32-lap race in 44 minutes 4.311
seconds and at an average speed of 157.270 kph (97.71 mph).
 

The Italian took advantage of Stoner's mistake when the
Australian rode into the gravel on lap 24 to claim his fourth
win of the season, but first of his career in the U.S.
 

"I was fast all week and I had a great start and was very
good with my braking," said Rossi. "It was an important win for
me since it was my first in America."
 

Stoner, the reigning world champion who claimed the last
three MotoGP races and five consecutive poles, trailed Rossi by
13 seconds. Chris Vermeulen of Australia was third, 26 seconds
behind Rossi.
 

Following the first-lap crash of Spain's Jorge Lorenzo,
Rossi and Stoner emerged at the front of the field and steadily
pulled away. The two riders exchanged leads several times for
more than half of the race.
 

"I had to stay in front, because it's a hard course to
overtake riders," said Rossi. "I got 25 points (for the win)
and now I can relax a little bit for going on a holiday. But we
have a lot of work to do. There are seven races left."
 

Stoner, who fell off his bike after riding into the gravel,
admitted he had made the mistake after an exciting series of
passing manoeuvres with Rossi.
 

"I made a little mistake; it was my fault," said Stoner.
 

"I'm a little disappointed, but I am still happy with the
performance. It was some of the most aggressive moves I've ever
been in. They were good, clean moves."
 

Rossi's win extended his overall standings lead to 212
points with seven of 18 events left. Stoner is second with 187
points.
 

Dani Pedrosa of Spain is third with 171 points.
 

Pedrosa rode in practice sessions, but did not attempt to
qualify on Saturday because of lingering left hand and wrist
injuries suffered last week in Germany.