Rossi wins second straight

From motogp.com

Valentino Rossi once again benefitted from Casey Stoner´s misfortune for a second consecutive MotoGP victory, crossing the finish line first at the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceske republiky on Sunday.

The Fiat Yamaha rider´s win – coupled with an early crash from his title rival - increased his lead to 50 points in the standings and dealt a crucial strike to his World Championship chances.

Stoner was caught by surprise on the sixth lap when out at the front. He had over a second of advantage over Rossi after taking the holeshot, but slipped his front wheel out on the new Brno asphalt and was lowsided into the gravel. It was Stoner´s first DNF since his joining the Ducati Marlboro team for the 2007 season.

"I knew today would be very difficult with Casey so strong, and his first lap was impressive," Rossi said. "I lost a bit of time with John [Hopkins] in the first corner, because he overtook me. This time we had the pace with Stoner, and I was catching up with him. I knew my setting and tires were working well. I think I could possibly have beaten him in a battle. Unfortunately he crashed, and then I was ahead with a 11-second lead. If he hadn´t have crashed then things would have been tougher, for sure."

Ducati were, however, represented on the podium in the Czech Republic, courtesy of Alice Team rider Toni Elias. The Spaniard had experienced problems on the sighting lap but burst through the 800cc stars ahead of him from 13th on the grid. His second place marks the first podium for both he and his satellite team in 2008, and he became only the second satellite rider to step onto the rostrum this year.

"It has been a difficult season until now," Elias said. "The situation changed at Sachsenring with some new parts. At Laguna Seca I made a mistake, but I knew that it would be possible to podium here. Yesterday was really difficult, and so I started from back on the grid here. I passed many riders and the last seven laps I was comfortable with my pace."

Another podium first came from Loris Capirossi, as the veteran made his maiden appearance on the rostrum for Rizla Suzuki. The Italian had taken off from the end of the third row, but showed that there was still life in his MotoGP career by making Suzuki the fourth manufacturer with which he had taken a top three finish in the premier class.

"I´m really happy," Capirossi said. "After Barcelona I have not had the right condition for riding well. Three weeks off in the summer break, and now I am fit. The podium is amazing for all the team, not just me."

Shinya Nakano paid back Honda for their decision to supply him with a factory spec RC212V for the remainder of the season, giving an immediate return with fourth place for San Carlo Honda Gresini. The Japanese rider was the highest placing rider for the manufacturer, with Michelin-shod factory man Dani Pedrosa way down in 15th place.

Riding for his future in MotoGP, Anthony West had the best result of his premier class career onboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR. The Australian came home fifth after a superb ride, holding off fellow countryman Chris Vermeulen.

Marco Melandri finished seventh in a race that will do much to aid his cause, whilst the top 10 was completed by Alex de Angelis, Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo. The latter two were the only Michelin riders amongst the first 10 past the line.

Race Results
1. V. ROSSI ITA (Fiat Yamaha Team) 43:28.841
2. T. ELIAS SPA (Alice Team) +15.004
3. L. CAPIROSSI ITA (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +21.689
4. S. NAKANO JPN (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +25.859
5. A. WEST AUS (Kawasaki Racing Team) +29.465
6. C. VERMEULEN AUS (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +30.608
7. M. MELANDRI ITA (Ducati Marlboro Team) +36.453
8. A. DE ANGELIS RSM (San Carlo Honda Gresini) +36.750
9. A. DOVIZIOSO ITA (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) +38.822
10. J. LORENZO SPA (Fiat Yamaha Team) +39.573
11. J. HOPKINS USA (Kawasaki Racing Team) +39.610
12. S. GUINTOLI FRA (Alice Team) +40.892
13. J. TOSELAND GBR (Tech 3 Yamaha) +1:11.490
14. C. EDWARDS USA (Tech 3 Yamaha) +1:21.133
15. D. PEDROSA SPA (Repsol Honda Team) +1:37.038
16. R. DE PUNIET FRA (LCR Honda MotoGP) +1:38.407
Not classified
C. STONER AUS (Ducati Marlboro Team) +16 Laps

Point Standings
1. Valentino ROSSI (Fiat Yamaha Team) 237
2. Casey STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) 187
3. Dani PEDROSA (Repsol Honda Team) 172
4. Jorge LORENZO (Fiat Yamaha Team) 120
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (JiR Team Scot MotoGP) 110
6. Colin EDWARDS (Tech 3 Yamaha) 102
7. Chris VERMEULEN (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 99
8. Nicky HAYDEN (Repsol Honda Team) 84
9. Shinya NAKANO (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 83
10. Loris CAPIROSSI (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 77
11. James TOSELAND (Tech 3 Yamaha) 75
12. Toni ELIAS (Alice Team) 66
13. Alex DE ANGELIS (San Carlo Honda Gresini) 49
14. Sylvain GUINTOLI (Alice Team) 42
15. Marco MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 41
16. Randy DE PUNIET (LCR Honda MotoGP) 40
17. John HOPKINS (Kawasaki Racing Team) 37
18. Anthony WEST (Kawasaki Racing Team) 33
19. Ben SPIES (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) 10
20. Jamie HACKING (Kawasaki Racing Team) 5
21. Tadayuki OKADA (Repsol Honda Team) 2