Stoner Uncatchable For MotoGP Rivals At Donington Park
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Jun 22, 2008
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Casey Stoner proved uncatchable for his MotoGP rivals as he cruised to a second Donington Park victory in as many years. The 2007 World Champion was the fastest off the line from pole position, taking the kind of runaway win typical of his title winning year at the British Grand Prix.
With his second triumph of the season, Stoner moved his way up to third in the overall classification. The two riders ahead of him in the standings, Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa, were involved in an entertaining battle some seven seconds back, trading places repeatedly at the midway point of the race. Riding in his 200th Grand Prix, Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi eventually won out, continuing a seven race run of podium finishes in 2008.
“Now we know we can fight for it (the title) now. We hope it’s game on now, we didn’t think this was a track we could do well on,” said Stoner, who was fastest in Friday’s practice sessions and Saturday’s qualifying.
“Whether we can chase them (the series leaders) down is going to be difficult as they are finishing high in every race.”
“We tried for victory but Casey was too strong. I’m back on the podium here in front of large crowd and in front of Pedrosa, so I have added four more points to my lead over him,” said Rossi, who now has 162 championship points.
“That is 200 GPs and I am still learning! We wanted to try and win the 200th, but it is good to be on podium and at top of title race.”
“I had the pace to take Rossi and I thought for a moment I had him but made a big mistake on a chicane and then started to slow down,” said Pedrosa, winner of CatalunyaGP earlier this month.
“He was simply faster, I have no excuses, we will try in the next one (Dutch GP, next weekend) to be faster in last five laps. I’ve no idea why the pace on the bike dropped, maybe it was the changing of direction.”
It was a weekend to forget for Toseland, however, who crashed on the first corner of the race, spinning into gravel and hurting his wrist. The home favourite got back on his Yamaha and endured the pain to complete the race, but was never in contention to pull of a shock home win.
Finland’s Mika Kallio edged out Marco Simoncelli to win the 250cc race and stretch his championship lead over the Italian to eight points. Spain’s Alex Debon finished third.
Earlier, Briton Scott Redding became the youngest grand prix winner when he won the 125cc race at the age of 15.
The rookie also recorded the first home win at the Donington Park circuit and ended his country’s 451-race wait for a 125cc winner since Chas Mortimer won in Spain in 1973. Mike di Meglio of France retained the overall lead after finishing second.
“I’d only ever done three laps of Donington before and that was on an 80cc bike in the rain four years ago,” Redding told BBC television.
“To win in front of the British fans is a dream come true. I wasn’t allowed any champagne on the podium because I’m too young but luckily Mike gave me some of his.”
