MotoGP USA – Another Aussie 1-2

Australia’s Casey Stoner was able to shake the 2007 hoodoo of not winning from pole to claim the Laguna Seca MotoGP. He dominated the race to further extend his lead over Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi.

Rewardingly fellow Aussie and Suzuki pilot Chris Vermeulen scored a dry race podium to finish over 9 seconds behind a blistering Stoner, riding his Ducati.

Marco Melandri, on a Honda, was a distant third, 25.641 seconds behind the Kurri Kurri Kid (Stoner).

In post race interviews Stoner said “I felt really comfortable sitting on the grid, I felt good about the tyres and bike. I just had to go and do the job.”

Surprisingly for most of the race the Ducati was faster than the 990cc lap record for the US track, set last year by Pedrosa on a Honda. Obviously engineering has won over the rule makers, with the introduction to 800cc an attempt to slow them day.

Nicky Hayden’s recent run of good luck ended on the first lap when he was involved in a collision with Suzuki rider John Hopkins. He was able to rejoin the race but had to retire with 10 laps to go. The result will surely hit the Kentucky Kid hard as he (and the parochial crowd) was expecting a good weekend after his solid run of podiums in the last few races.

Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi finished fourth, five seconds behind Melandri and 30 seconds behind Stoner, who now tops the standings at 221 points to Rossi’s 177.  The pressure is well and truly on the Italian to recapture the consistency that has seen him dominate the championship in previous years.

Ant West, riding for Kawasaki put in another solid result after qualifying 12, he climbed to finish 7^th. Surely the formal offer for 2008 from Kawasaki is forth coming for the plucky Australian, who has again proven his undeniable talent.

German MotoGP – Stoner Slips and Pedrosa Pounces

Once again the MotoGP pole position hoodoo claimed its latest victim, with Casey Stoner (Ducati) finishing 5^th in the German MotoGP race, after qualifying on pole for the race start. 

Dani Pedrosa (Honda) pounced on Stoner early on in the race and went on to finish almost 10 seconds ahead of second place getter, and Stoner’s team mate Loris Capirossi.

Pedrosa’s team mate Nicky Hayden claimed another podium in what looks to be a better second half of the season for the plucky kid from Kentucky. Pedrosa’s victory was his first victory since the British GP in 2006. in 2007 he has been outshone by the super quick Stoner, his arch enemy from the 250cc category.

Colin Edwards once again showed his consistency to claim the points for 4^th position.  The big news was the heat for this race, with track temperatures of up to 47 degrees, playing havoc with tyres. Stoner’s rear tyre was at melting point but was able to hang on for his 5^th to extend his lead to 32 points over Valentino Rossi for the championship.  

Once again Rossi made a mistake whilst overtaking Randy De Puniet (Kawasaki) to record his first, and hopefully last, DNF for the 2007 season. 

Aussies Anthony West and Chris Vermeulen finished 8^th and 11^th respectively. This solid result for West should surely cement his ride in MotoGP for 2008. He has shown that he can mix it with the best.  

The season now moves to the US of A where Hayden should be able to continue his recent form and with the right set up, he will be hard to beat. 

Top 10 finishers for the race: 1^st: Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda2^nd: Loris Capirossi – Ducat Marlboro3^rd: Nicky Hayden – Repsol Honda4^th: Colin Edwards – Fiat Yamaha5^th: Casey Stoner – Ducati Marlboro6^th: Marco Melandri – Gresini Honda7^th: John Hopkins – Rizla Suzuki8^th: Anthony West – Kawasaki Racing9^th: Alex Hoffman – Pramac D’Antin10^th: Michel Fabrizio – Gresini Honda