Valentino Rossi extended his Moto GP championship lead after a fascinating duel with Casey Stoner saw him claim his maiden victory at the United States MotoGP at Laguna Seca.
There had been nothing to choose between the pair until Stoner rode into the gravel with eight laps remaining and although he managed to get back into the race, the Australian could not claw back the gap.
However, the duo had built up such a lead that the Ducati of Stoner was still able to finish ahead of Chris Vermeulen in third with Britain's James Toseland finishing ninth.
Yamaha's Rossi finished in 44minutes 04.01seconds ahead of Stoner in 44mins 17.31secs with last year's runner-up Vermeulen clocking 44:30.92.
The result sees Rossi take a 25-point lead over Stoner in the championship standings as the riders go into their four-week summer break before the next race in Brno.
With Dani Pedrosa injured, Stoner had been expected to narrow the gap on Rossi after dominating practice and qualifying.
However, Rossi overtook Stoner on the first lap and the pair were involved in a battle of their own.
It was impossible to call with one rider overtaking the other on a number of occasions and at times were even within touching distance.
However, it was Rossi who was dominant but on lap 24 Stoner got too close to his rival and was forced to slow down and go into the gravel.
His front wheel became stuck in a hole and the bike toppled over to rob the race of a dramatic finale and seal victory for Rossi who went on to take his first win at Laguna Seca.
Stoner admitted he was responsible for going into the gravel but he was clearly unhappy with elements of the battle with his opponent.
"I completely made the mistake, it was all my own (going off the track)", he told BBC Sport.
"But at the beginning of the race, with some of those overtaking moves, I was so nearly on the floor that it wasn't funny.
"I know it's hard racing, I've been in hard racing all my life but some of that was past the point. I don't think it was necessary."
However, it was not all good news for Rossi whose Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo is thought to have broken a bone in his foot after coming off on the first lap.
Toseland finished ninth in 44:47.33 but it was a disappointing end for the Briton who had spent a long time in seventh spot.
Rossi heads into the break with the knowledge he has the edge over reigning champion Stoner in the championship race.
"It was a great weekend," said Rossi.
"These 25 points are like gold for our championship."
Toseland was glad to have improved on his recent run of form but is now looking to become a real contender in order to rise from his ninth spot in the championship.
"I tried to keep those guys behind but I'd pretty much shot the rear tyre by the end," Toseland said.
"The team's working well but we've had some problems behind the scenes which need to change for the next race.
"I've been riding round, not racing round, and I don't like that. To be in the top 10 is nice but the potential is there to be a lot better."
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Comment 1 - 17 of 17
rossiisthebest46..your another dumb tit follower what is it with that guy he acts like a kid on track kissing the tarmac where he tryed to knock stoner off and you give him respect as a better rider.im sure if stoner would have done that nothing would be said yeah right.
Yes,stoner0027, DUCATI is too fast, but where is Stoner in that story? So, shut the f*** up. I love to hear that Stoner say just one time "I just got beaten by a better rider" !!!
I agree with most of you guys, Valentino took the challenge to Casey and the little boy wasn't up to the job. If stoner had been riding around the time of Doohan, Schwantz and Rainey, he would have been complaining every race, not to mention World Superbikes where they pretty much barge and jostle for position. Every rider who steps out onto the track is there to win - it's unfortunate that only a select few are truly capable of doing so, but they're all out there to try! Did Casey expect Vale to just sit behind him and follow for the whole race? No-one on the circuit can beat Rossi on the brakes, and with the monster power of that Ducati Stoner should easily be able to pass him on the straights, so if's a pretty fair contest. I think Stoner was out of order not to shake hands with Rossi, even though he did later on the podium. The Italian admitted he made a mistake, and Casey just mocked him! He's been nowhere this year, and now he's won a few races he thinks he'll have it easy? Not likely. If Dani had been racing Casey probably would have finished third, or worse. What if Jorge hadn't highsided his bike? He could have come into play. Like you guys have said, true champions are the ones who are humble and sporting, like Rossi and Rainey. Shame we can't create some witchcraft and see those two riding against each other at their respective peaks. What a race that would be! Stoner is a good racer, take nothing away from him. BUT, without that Ducati I doubt he'd even be in the picture. If Rossi's M1 had the kind of straight line pace of the Red monster, who could stand in his way? And don't criticise Valentino for the way his fans behave - it's not like he has any control over them! Moto GP would be less exciting if the Doctor left, even with the likes of Lorenzo and Dovizioso joining the ranks. And well done to Dovy finishing 4th as a rookie to the track! What a ride.
Stoner needs to accept if someone can keep up with his Ducati then he will have to fight for a podium, if he is frightened of a good spectators race then he should try time trials. He often complains about the treatment he had in England before he went to Moto GP, I thought It was the English were the moaning Poms, but he seems to put that back to the Aussies as the moaners. I do not want a F1 style Motogp were its just a parade, maybe Stoner will want Pit stops next.
hotrijder7, to the italian job comment? strange that all the experts said it was a fair race? are you an expert rider? or just a casey stoner fan? i am australian and from what i read and saw on the sport news, it was good racing from rossi, he protected the inside lane forcing stoner to go wide from what i saw, if stoner is silly enough to go wide on a dirty track, then that is his loss, rossi doesn't have to allow him in just because he (stoner) has a faster bike, his allowed in the rules of racing to protect his lane and he did, stoner wasn't good enough on the day to pass him and looked like he got frustrated and went wide, maybe he thins being world champion people are suppose to let him through? well his racing against a 7 time world champion who doesn't have submit. good racing Rossi,
THE ITALIAN JOB
I think as a fan , Rossi was over the limit and was trying to force Stoner over the limit to CRASH.
When you have a points advantage you only have to run the other guy off the track to be World Champion, remember Capirossi did it once. And to suggest shootting someone to beat them makes you sound desperate and thats what we saw on tv.
KEEP IT FAIR.
We now you are used to winning on the best bikes. you are one of the best but at the moment STONER is beter.
see you next time out
john
What a shame Rossi has signed for another two years, another 2 years of people who can't see any further than the "doctor". (wouldn't want him operating on me). Motorcycle racing is not about tribalism as in football, and this is what some of Rossi's so called fans are bringing into the sport. ie. invading the track at Donington and abusing Stoner. I was lucky to meet an Australian at Donington who had come to see Stoner and was the going to Misano to cheer on Troy Bayliss. I said to him "bet you'll be rooting for Stoner" and he said " yes i would like to see him win but i respect every rider out there and as long as its a safe race i'm happy". That is my main point we may not like a particular rider but should always show respect as they are out there doing things on motorcycles us mere mortals can only dream of, and I include Marco Melandri in that statement.
I have to admit, it doesn't look good on the podium if you don't shake the hands of the winner of a race, regardless how you saw the race from stoners point of view. I think Rossi races fair in every race, true champion, and always respectful to other riders. I think stoner wants everything too easy, no challenges while rossi likes the challenges, and occasionally makes mistakes because he goes for more than any other driver does on braking. Stoner is young he'll grow up, you learn from your mistakes. Of course if Rossi had the bikes of the honda's or ducati, he'd be winning everytime, the fact his gone to Yamaha proves he likes challenges and doesn't want thing easy otherwsie he'd still be at honda. Anyway from what i read Rossi didn't take offense for Stoner not shaking his hand, pretty much said, his upset and in the heat of the moment didn't want to shake hands but his a good biker racer. Spoken like a true champion, good ambassador for the sport Rossi is. Hopefully he doesn't move to F1 or rally, we all know his talented he doesn't need to prove that to anyone, stay in motoGP and try break Agostini's record
never saw Loris (when he was with Ducatti) and Vale have sharp words after amazing duels! Stoner got freaked out by a pro sportsman doing what he loves best. Race, not just go fast but to race and challenge and succeed.
Rossi's the King, and stoner's a looser, he needs to grow up big time, its no wonder he gets booed every year at donnington park, he deserves every thing he gets..He didn even have the manners to shake the hand of the champion..Valentino is simply the best, and the only reason most people still watch moto gp..
Go on the Doctor!!!
Put Stoner on Rossi's Yamaha.He wouldn't see another front row.The guy is spoiled rotten with a great bike.He's definitely no Doohan!
Fight back or go home mate.Stop throwing your toys Casey and take it on the chin.This is MotoGP after all.This is what people want to see.Two or more guys going at it for the spoils.(And next time shake the man's hand, you just looked silly mate.)
ROSSI IS THE KING !!!!! STONER IS JUST A KID, HE NEEDS TO GROW UP. ROSSI IS THE ONLY TRUE CHAMPION IN MOTO GP....HAYDEN WAS A MISTAKE AND STONER,HE IS TALENTED, BUT IF HIS BIKE IS NOT PERFECT HE IS ZEROOOOOO
little stoner,the sore looser...
come on stoner...don't be a bike racer if you afraid of battling one on one...
u have been spoil by the ducati's...always used of being out front without any battle...
All the spectators and commentators saw nothing wrong with the overtakings of valentino...fair play.
Come on..grow up you aussie!
sore loser rossi is one of the most complaining riders out there .its my tax bill, its my tyres , the ducati is too fast.remember 2007 .
toseland was getting slatted earlier in the year for riding too agreesive rossi nearly knocked stoner into the gravel on the corkscrew and that,s fine .
its the same thing as always with him rossi makes a mistake then fine stoner makes a mistake then he,s damned to hell.
little stoner the sore loser................
I seem to recall "El Dettoree" punting off Sete Gebernau when in the lead at Jerez in 2005 & not being disciplined for it. One swallow doesn't make a summer Casey, you've got plenty of time left yet to come back & show the Doctor the way back home! You did it in 2007 & Hayden did it in 2006, "El Dettoree" is on the long way down.
Stoner complained he was booed at Donnington by the British fans (a practice which I personally do not approve of), who tend to be avid Rossi fans; the reason Mr Stoner is exactly what you said to the BBC following your inability to take the pressure of a wheel to wheel battle with Rossi. Aussies call us Brits whinging 'poms', yet Stoner was crying like a baby after he made the mistake which saw him in the gravel; none of the commentators or ex-racers on either Brit Eurosport or BBC2 saw anything wrong with the way Rossi was racing. Don't get me wrong, Stoner is a brilliant rider on a very good Ducati, but he is so used to being out front without having to battle. Over the years Rossi has seen off Sete, The Roman Emperor and in more recent times, Dani Pedrosa, Stoner needs to grow up.
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