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Domination for Sensational Stoner

MOTOGP: Total Domination for Sensational Stoner at USGP

Sunday, Jul 22, 2007

Http://www.speedtv.com

Publication: Speed Channel

Edition: Sunday - July 22, 2007

Columnist: Colin Young

Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner (Photo: Ducati Corse) MORE PHOTOS

Casey Stoner rode a near perfect race at Laguna Seca to win the U.S. Grand Prix today, his sixth victory of the season. It was a powerhouse display by the 21-year-old Australian and his Ducati GP7. He led all 32 laps to cruise a nine-second victory over Suzuki rival, and fellow Australian, Chris Vermeulen who was second.

Italian Marco Melandri, on a Honda, finished third.

Stoner was untouchable over the Laguna Seca weekend. He won the race from pole position with a new qualifying record and posted a new track record in the race. The faultless display, with Valentino Rossi finishing a distant fourth, extended Stoner’s lead in the championship to 44 points over Rossi with even races remaining.

Today’s race also ended the MotoGP winning streak of America's world champion Nicky Hayden at his home race, the Kentucky Kid failing to finish because of brake problems on his Honda.

But Hayden’s race was virtually over at Turn 2 when he was bumped by John Hopkins, who crashed, the incident causing damage to the front brake adjuster on Hayden’s bike.

“It’s a shame to get this result at my home race,” Hayden said. “It’s been a tough season, another first lap incident but I don’t want to say too much about that, because it’s not going to make things any different so we’ll leave the incident at that. Luckily I didn’t get hurt because I took a big impact on my leg.

“It’s a shame for the fans.”

In winning, Stoner ended the jinx that had not seen a victory from pole position for 13 races, the last being Loris Capirossi last September.

“This would have to be my best racing weekend ever,” Stoner said. “I’m absolutely stoked about this race, it went perfectly. I felt confident from the morning warm-up when I was able to do fast times, 1’22s, with half-race distance on the tires.

“When Chris got into second ahead of Dani he started to chase me down, so I thought I'd see how fast they could go and upped the pace and I was able to pull a gap. Everything went to plan.”

Vermeulen scored his third podium of the season today and despite his early surge, he could not match the pace of Stoner’s Ducati.

“I am absolutely over the moon to be on the podium,” Vermeulen said. “Only myself and Casey had the pace to do the lap times at the beginning. Unfortunately I couldn’t quite hang with him all race but I am very happy to be second.”