Stoner snatches Valencia victory

Added on Sunday, November 6th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Casey Stoner took the final victory of the 2011 season at Valencia this afternoon, in an eventful outing to close the season.

A dramatic start to the race, which saw four riders fall at the first corner on the first lap, unfolded in fine style to see Stoner take his tenth victory of the season. The first corner incident saw Randy De Puniet, Alvaro Bautista, Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden all sent into immediate retirement, as the remaining riders continued on their way.

Despite being declared a wet race, the field remained on slick tyres for the duration. Pole position gave Stoner a clear shot into the lead, which he held until there was three laps to go. As the final few laps arrived the Repsol Honda Rider ran wide, to allow his pursuer Ben Spies through into the lead.

With a shot at taking victory, Spies laucnhed into the final three laps, however as the chequered flag flew Stoner was able to steal back the advantage into the final corner. The pair were separated by just 0.015 seconds as they crossed the finish line, with Stoner ahead of Spies.

Further back, a close fight for third place between Repsol Honda teammates Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa played out. Dovizioso eventually held third place, whilst Cal Crutchlow secured fourth place and also Rookie of the Year after chief title challenger Karel Abraham dropped back.

Pedrosa crossed the finish line for the final time this season in fifth place after a thrilling battle with his teammate, ahead of Katsuyuki Nakasuga in sixth. Josh Hayes, who was replacing Colin Edwards, scored a seventh place finish, ahead of the recovering Abraham in eighth place.

In his final race of his career, Loris Capirossi finihsed ninth as he now heads towards his retirement, whilst Toni Elias completed the top ten. Just two other riders swept passed the chequered flag, with Hector Barbera finishing eleventh and Hiroshi Aoyama twelfth in this season finale.

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