Ducati Marlboro
Team riders Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi stormed the
Phillip Island circuit in Australia today, scoring a
stunning one-two result that secures the constructors'
MotoGP World Championship title for the legendary Italian
factory and also the team's World Championship honour for
the Borgo-Panigale-based squad.
Riding his first race as riders' World Champion, Stoner led
from start to finish while Japanese GP winner Capirossi
fought through from fifth place on the first lap. It was an
immaculate and dominant performance from Aussie Stoner who
was cheered all the way by an ecstatic 50,000 crowd. At one
point he led the pack by almost eight seconds, eventually
crossing the line 6.763 seconds ahead of his team-mate.
Stoner's ninth victory of the year is also the team's fifth
win from the past six races and the Ducati's tenth win of
this season. Stoner, who topped all but one of the five
pre-race track sessions here, celebrates his 22nd birthday
on Tuesday.
Ducati is the first non-Japanese manufacturer to win the
premier-class constructors' title since 1973, when MV Agusta
were champions.
CASEY STONER
"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.
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Riding his first race as riders' World Champion,
Casey Stoner (above) led from start to finish while
Japanese GP winner Loris Capirossi fought through
from fifth place on the first lap. |
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Ducati riders Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi
stormed Phillip Island today, scoring a stunning
one-two result that secures the constructors' and
teams' world championship for the Italian factory. |
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"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."
LORIS CAPIROSSI
"My start wasn't really good, so in the early laps I had to
fight a lot with Marco [Melandri] and in my opinion he was
little bit too aggressive. I had to push really hard to
overtake him and then I said 'please take it easy'. After
that I tried to keep my pace and 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. Ducati has
won everything this year - the riders', constructors' and
teams' championships, which proves that everything's working
100 per cent at the factory."
GABRIELE DEL TORCHIO, CEO
Ducati Motor Holding
"Winning the constructors' and teams' titles confirms and
strengthens the value of the goal conquered three weeks ago
by Casey. We have a great team of men and women who, with
courage and warmth, have made a dream come true."
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