Ducati Marlboro's Casey Stoner (Photo: Ducati Corse) ยป More Photos
Casey Stoner took control of the MotoGP World Championship standings with an almost flawless performance to win the Chinese Grand Prix, his third victory of the season. In a hotly contested duel with five-time world champion Valentino Rossi, the young Australian powered his Ducati to win by three seconds. American ace John Hopkins, on a Suzuki, finished third to score his first-ever podium.
Stoner withstood massive pressure from Rossi who engaged Stoner in close combat in the twisting section of the 3.2-mile track. Stoner kept his cool and then used Ducati's speed advantage perfectly on the 160-mph back straight.
Stoner's third victory in MotoGP came in just his 20th start and he has now won the same number of premier class GPs as reigning world champion Nicky Hayden, who was 12th in Shanghai.
Only Rossi has interrupted Stoner's winning surge with his victory in the Spanish GP at Jerez.
"This is unbelievable, I thought I could get a good result but I didn't think I could win again. It's really hard to comprehend what is going on at the moment," said Stoner. "Now I just want get some sleep, I've been a bit sick this weekend and my muscles have been really sore, I'm just really tired.
"I want make I get some rest and make sure I'm okay for the next race."
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Stoner extended his world championship lead to 15 points, 86 to 71, over Rossi with Spanish Honda rider Dani Pedrosa third on 49 points after his fourth place in Shanghai.
Stoner started from fourth on the grid, shadowed Rossi for the opening lap and then surged to the front. Each time Rossi challenged for the lead at the tight corner before the back straight, Stoner would quickly power ahead.
It was a game of cat and mouse with Rossi's breathtaking braking move at the end of straight on the lap seven the decisive moment. From second place Rossi misjudged his move and ran off the track, conceding a three second advantage to Stoner from which he could not recover.
"I knew Valentino was right with me, he made sure of that, but I just set my pace and tried not to make too many mistakes. I was able to push Valentino into a mistake while in front of him, and that is also a really good feat in itself.
"The Ducati showed its speed again and I was able to get past Rossi each time he got ahead. The pace was fast, almost unbelievable, compared with practice and I was a bit worried because of the speed."
Rossi was in superb form, pushing his Yamaha to the limit. "I would rather fight for first place and not win then do nothing and just be second," Rossi said.
