Australia and more specifically the Philip Island circuit welcomed last weekend the sixteenth MotoGP round of the season. A weekend which people won't soon forget since Casey Stoner, the Honda rider, was crowned world champion on home turf there, in front of his public.
As for the Motul teams, fourth in the qualifyings but third on the starting grid due to Jorge Lorenzo's withdrawal, Álvaro Bautista was straightaway battling for the podium. Fighting it out for a long time with Nicky Hayden or Valentino Rossi, the Spanish rider unfortunately fell owing to the rain that plagued the end of the race and was of course very disappointed.
Meanwhile, eighth following the first lap, Colin Edwards of team Monster Yamaha Tech3 managed to keep his pace despite the bad weather (strong rain and wind) which marked the race and chose to keep his slick tyres at the end of the race. A choice that paid off since the American crossed the chequered flag fifth, his third Top 6 of the season.
His team-mate Cal Crutchlow was also off to a good start. However, he couldn't avoid falling at the end of the race when he was battling it out for eighth place.
Last, still regarding the French team Monster Yamaha Tech3, it officialised the arrival of a new recruit next year, the present Honda rider: Andrea Dovizioso! Currently third in the overall standings, the former 125cc world champion (2004) and 250cc vice-champion on two occasions will therefore be Cal Crutchlow team-mate next year at the new 1000 cc MotoGPs.
Standings
1// Casey Stoner – Honda – 325 pts
2// Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha – 260 pts
3// Andrea Dovizioso – Honda – 212 pts
…
9// Colin Edwards – Yamaha – 109 pts Motul
12// Álvaro Bautista – Suzuki – 67 pts Motul
13// Cal Crutchlow – Yamaha – 57 pts Motul
