A costly blunder by Casey Stoner allowed Valentino Rossi to take a giant step towards claiming his sixth world championship as he won the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano today. The Italian rider took his sixth win of the season after Stoner had crashed out of the lead on lap six, and he is now 75 points clear of Stoner with only five races and a maximum of 125 points left to race for.
It was an historic result for Rossi as he won his 68th MotoGP race, leaving him level with Giacomo Agostini as the most successful driver in the sport's history. Rossi said: "To win my 68th race in my home town is incredible. We have a great advantage and we are one race closer to the title." The omens initially for the Yamaha rider were not good as the world champion as Stoner successfully held his lead after starting from position, and Dani Pedrosa overtaking Rossi at the first corner.
Rossi quickly got back in front of his Spanish rival, but Stoner appeared to be in a class of his own as he opened up a three second lead. But in a near carbon copy of his crash in the Czech Republic race last month, the Australian lost control and skidded off into the gravel and out of the race. Rossi was never headed after that as he calmly rode towards his third successive triumph. His teammate Jorge Lorenzo passed Pedrosa for second, and although he did initially close the gap on his his team leader he was never in a position to challenge for victory.
Toni Elias was an impressive third for Ducati, while Pedrosa had to be content with fourth place and moving to within two points of Stoner for second place in the standings. Chris Vermuelen came through the pack to finish fifth, while Britain's James Toseland matched his best result in the series when he finished sixth on his Yamaha. @Email:gcaygill@thenational.ae
