Stoner Stuns on The Island

Australian Casey Stoner has overcome injury and the recent loss of his world championship title to win his second consecutive Phillip Island MotoGP. 

The Ducati rider finished the race 6.5 seconds ahead of newly crowned world champion Valetino Rossi in an action packed race at Phillip Island.

Stoner said he was surprised to pull ahead of American Nicky Hayden after being hounded by the Honda rider during the early stages of the race. “I wasn’t sure I could stay ahead of Nicky at the beginning but then he seemed to drop off” the Australian said.

Hayden seemed secure in second until the final lap when Rossi passed the former world champion, making the podium of Hayden, Rossi and Stoner a collection of the last three MotoGP world champions.

Stoner says he is happy with second in the world championship for this year and pleased with a home win after some disappointing crashes mid way through the season ruined his championship defence.

Fellow Australians Anthony West and Chris Vermeulen finished 12^th and 15^th, Vermeulen lucky to gather points after a first lap incident involving Dani Pedrosa nearly ended his race.