Assen MotoGP: Stoner eases to victory

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner has taken his first victory since announcing his retirement ahead of team-mate Dani Pedrosa. It’s the first Honda victory at Assen since Nicky Hayden in 2006.

Stoner now leads the championship along with Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo failed to finish the race after he was taken out by Alvaro Bautista at the first corner as the Gresini Honda rider lost the front.

Pedrosa got the holeshot from second on the grid and along with Stoner easily pulled away from the pursuing pack. Stoner stayed right on Pedrosa’s back wheel before making his move with 12 laps to go, before pulling away to easily take the victory.

Tech 3 Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso stole third position from Ben Spies on the final lap. The two riders were unable to keep up with the pace of the leading Hondas.

Crutchlow will feel he was denied a possible podium finish after having to run off track to avoid Bautista and Lorenzo at the first corner. Again Crutchlow had to work his way through the field, and managed to work his way up to fifth ahead of Nicky Hayden.

Valentino Rossi had a disastrous race despite a strong start which saw him in fifth position. Rossi dropped down to eighth before pulling in to the pits to change his rear tyre with 10 laps to go. He finished 13th.

1 25 1 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 171.4 41’19.855
2 20 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 171.1 +4.965
3 16 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 170.6 +11.994
4 13 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 170.4 +14.775
5 11 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 169.9 +22.074
6 10 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 169.3 +31.660
7 9 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 167.4 +59.107
8 8 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 167.1 +1’04.441
9 7 51 Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR 166.9 +1’06.980
10 6 54 Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART 165.7 +1’25.087
11 5 9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda 165.3 +1’32.103
12 4 22 Ivan SILVA SPA Avintia Blusens BQR 165.2 +1’33.797
13 3 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 163.6 1 Lap
14 2 77 James ELLISON GBR Paul Bird Motorsport ART 163.6 1 Lap