Casey Stoner beats out Rossi and Hayden at Phillip Island MotoGP
World Honda Press Release - Oct 6, 2008

 

Stoner launched his Ducati down the hill off the line into turn one pursued by Hayden and a fast-starting James Toseland (Yamaha). As the horde peeled into turn two, Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) ran wide onto the grass and down he went.

 

Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V) was another lap one casualty, the San Marinese man almost completing a lap before tumbling out of contention. Stoner and Hayden were well away already and by lap three the lead duo had 1.7 seconds over third-placed Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha).

 

Shinya Nakano (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V) was riding strongly too. The Japanese ace was sixth in the early laps and he had the race pace to hang in there with the pack dicing for third place. He managed a valiant fifth at the flag, and could have even have snatched fourth in the four bike melée for fourth place.

 

Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda RC212V) was another Honda man in the mix for the places, but a race-long duel with Yamaha rider Colin Edwards prevented him from gaining places by getting clear of his rival. The fast Frenchman had to settle for ninth at the end of these 27-laps.

 

By mid-race distance Stoner had shed the attentions of the determined Hayden and began working his lead cushion from 2.6 seconds to the 7.9 second lead he had at the flag. Nicky meanwhile had his work cut out fending off the hard-charging Rossi.

 

On the final lap Rossi dived past Hayden at turn one and Nicky tried all he could to get back on terms and stage a pass on the final lefts onto the start/finish straight where Hayden really hangs the back of his RCV out as he puts down the power. But it was not to be.

 

Dovizioso too was robbed on the final lap while holding fourth place. Lorenzo got the verdict for fourth when Toseland and Dovi tangled letting Nakano in for fifth at the same time. All Honda finishers were in the top ten, although not as high as Nicky and Dovi felt they could have been.

 

Stoner, after his win now has 245 points and is closing in on the title runner-up spot. Dani lies third with 209 points after this untimely DNF. There are two rounds to go.

 

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