Although Casey Stoner (Ducati Marlboro) already secured his MotoGP crown in Motegi, the Aussie rider did a great performance in his hometown during the recent 2007 MotoGP Australian Grand Prix.
Casey Stoner commented:
"After winning the championship in Motegi, one of our goals for the rest of the season was to win this GP because we have been trying for a lot of years. This season has been magical for us and to stand on top of the podium this afternoon, I have never felt anything like it. This was my best victory so far and I have to thank all the Australian fans for coming down here to see us."
Stoner added:
"Being up on the podium was just unbelievable, I’ve never felt anything like it. I’ve been working very hard for a lot of years trying to win here. This whole season has been magical for us, we came here with a lot less pressure after winning the title in Japan, so I could really enjoy this race. It’s definitely my best victory so far. I have to thank the Australian fans, it’s good to see so many of them here and I hope they’ve had a lot of fun, I really appreciate it. I made one of my best starts, I had the first corner to myself so I could concentrate on getting the tyres warmed up and ready to go. Nicky [Hayden, who DNFed] was really pushing in the beginning, he was on my rear wheel for a while but I managed to get away. I was really hoping, more than ever, that Loris would get on the podium here, so it’s been another great weekend for the team and for Ducati."
Meanwhile, Ducati Marlboro team has a reason to celebrate as the team earned a one-two finish during the race. Loris Capirossi managed to follow Stoner and obtained the 2nd spot.
Loris Capirossi also commented after the race:
"I finished second, so I’m really, really happy and a big thanks to my team who worked so hard all weekend. This is another great moment, especially after my win at Motegi. I am trying to end my five years with Ducati in the best way possible," stated Capirossi. "Ducati has won everything this year - the riders’, constructors’ and teams’ championships, which proves that everything’s working 100 per cent at the factory."
1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team
2. Loris Capirossi Ducati Marlboro Team
3. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team
4. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team
5. Alex Barros Pramac D’Antin MotoGP
6. Randy De Puniet Kawasaki Racing Team
7. John Hopkins Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
8. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
9. Colin Edwards Fiat Yamaha Team
10. Marco Melandri Gresini Honda
11. Carlos Checa Honda LCR
12. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team
13. Shinya Nakano Konica Minolta Honda
14. Sylvain Guintoli Tech 3 Yamaha
15. Toni Elias Gresini Honda
16. Makoto Tamada Tech 3 Yamaha
17. Kurtis Roberts Team Roberts
DNF Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team
DNF Chaz Davies GBR Pramac d’Antin MotoGP
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