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Casey Stoner wins in Motegi


The Ducati Team rider achieved consecutive victories by claiming first place in the Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday. Andrea Dovizioso, who started from pole position, secured second place, while Valentino Rossi succeeded in overtaking Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo for the last spot on the podium after a thrilling duel with his teammate.

Casey Stoner followed his initial win of the season at Aragón with another triumph in the Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday, where Dovizioso finished second and Rossi took third. It was yet another impressive performance from Ducati rider Stoner, who gradually pulled away from Dovizioso throughout the 24-lap race, but the most gripping action stemmed from the fierce battle between teammates Rossi and Lorenzo for the final podium position.

Just like his previous race at Aragón, Stoner burst off the line quickly and seized the lead on the first lap. As he found his pace and consistently clocked fast laps, Dovizioso, starting from pole for the first time in the premier class, managed to stay close during the early laps. Lorenzo began to showcase what was to unfold as he overtook Rossi to take third, marking the start of their captivating rivalry.

On just the second lap, Ben Spies (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) both ran off at turn five, causing them to drop in rankings, while rookie Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) engaged in their own competition for fifth place.

Stoner started to build a slight lead over Dovizioso, which extended to a second with seven laps to go. Meanwhile, Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) had to retire after his bike stalled while tussling for seventh alongside teammate Álvaro Bautista.

With victory for Stoner now nearly guaranteed and Dovizioso set to return to the podium after an eight-race drought without a top-three finish, Rossi and Lorenzo intensified their contest. The pair, continuously pushing against one another, made contact with two laps remaining as they raced alongside each other in an exhilarating finish.

Stoner’s victory margin was 3.868 seconds, and Dovizioso confirmed his fifth podium of the season – his first since Silverstone. Rossi held onto his third position, achieving his seventh podium result of 2010 and ensuring that Lorenzo finished outside the top three for the second consecutive race.

Edwards achieved his best result of the season, placing fifth, with Simoncelli finishing sixth and Bautista taking seventh. Spies, Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda), and Hiroshi Aoyama (Interwetten Honda MotoGP) completed the top ten.

In the absence of injured Dani Pedrosa, Lorenzo extended his Championship lead to 69 points. Stoner remained in third, while Dovizioso surpassed Rossi to claim fourth place.

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