Casey Stoner dominated the Australian MotoGP, despite pressure from his future team mate Nicky Hayden for at least two thirds of the race. Hayden held on to second place until his tyre rapidly lost grip in the closing laps, allowing Valentino Rossi to take second place from him, who surged up the field from starting in 12th position on the grid.

Rossi’s progress through the field was not easy. He was locked into a fantastic battle with James Toseland from laps 8 through to 13, both riders swapping places multiple times before Rossi broke away in pursuit of Hayden, leaving a great battle that lasted the rest of the race distance for 4th place between Lorenzo, Toseland, Dovizioso, and Shinya Nakano.

Dani Pedrosa fell on lap one and did not rejoin the race, thereby almost assuring 2nd position in the MotoGP championship for Casey Stoner.

Phillip Island MotoGP results
1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 40min 56.643 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 41min 3.147 secs
3. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 41min 3.848 secs
4. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 41min 8.143 secs
5. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 41min 8.557 secs
6. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 41min 8.886 secs
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 41min 9.423 secs
8. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 41min 22.563 secs
9. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 41min 22.680 secs
10. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 41min 23.442 secs
11. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 41min 23.670 secs
12. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 41min 44.451 secs
13. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 41min 44.976 secs
14. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 41min 45.542 secs
15. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 41min 45.578 secs
16. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 42min 8.410 secs

DNF:
Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (B) Lap 1
Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) Lap 1

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