Who could have predicted the outcome of yesterday’s Moto GP race at Phillip Island, Australia.
With title contenders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo going head to head for vital championship points, at the end of the 27 laps of the picturesque ocean circuit, it was homecoming rider Casey Stoner who powered ahead to take the podium in front of his fellow countrymen.
What’s more, the anticipated battle between Rossi and Lorenzo was a disappointment, to say the least. Lorenzo crashed out at high speed on the first corner in lap one after a completely avoidable collision with American rider Nicky Hayden.
Misjudging the distance between his and Hayden’s bike, Lorenzo was unable to brake in time and ran into the rear of the Ducati rider’s machine. Lorenzo’s brake disc was damaged, causing his to the crash out at high speed in the challenging first corner of the circuit.
Hayden managed to continue, but with his bike limping like an injured dog he could only manage 15th and last. There have been unfortunate times for Hayden this year – that being the third time he has been involved in a collision which was totally not his fault.
Rossi continued on regardless, but found a new foe in Casey Stoner. Battling for the top spot through the last 4 laps, Rossi decided it was better to play it safe and take the second best batch of championship points than do a make-or-break manoeuvre which could leave him no better off than Lorenzo.
Other also-rans included Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi, both of the Rizla Suzuki team, who were unable to break the Suzuki curse at Phillip Island and brought home an 11th and 12th placing.
The championship is now heading over to Sepang, Malaysia, for what it set to be the title race for Valentino. If he can keep his lead over 25 points more than Lorenzo (it is currently 38) then he will be confirmed as 2009 Moto GP champion.
Watch this space!