PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia: Jorge Lorenzo sealed his second world MotoGP crown after his challenger crashed out, while Casey Stoner claimed his sixth straight Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on Sunday.
Spain’s Lorenzo took the title despite finishing a well-beaten second behind the rampant Stoner, who thrilled his 53,000 home fans by storming to a nine-second victory in his final ride at his favorite track before retirement.
Lorenzo’s task was made considerably easier when Stoner’s Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa crashed out on the second lap.
Lorenzo had led Pedrosa by 23 points going into the penultimate Phillip Island round. He only needed to finish three points higher than his compatriot to secure the championship before the final race in Valencia on November 11.
Pedrosa was leading when he high-sided and lost control of his Honda on the right-handed turn four and his race was over in a matter of minutes after the start.
The unstoppable Stoner took over to draw away from the field for a convincing win, his 38th in 114 MotoGP starts.
“I was quite comfortable to be in second place because Casey was in another world, so I thought I had a great chance to become world champion today,” Lorenzo said.
“When I was behind Dani he braked too deep and he make a mistake and it was easy for me, but one part of me wanted to ride safe and be world champion and another part of me wanted to try and catch Casey and try to make some pressure on him.
“But it wasn’t like that. He was very fast so I had to finish in second place, which is not bad because I became world champion twice.”
Lorenzo, who has had to battle the champion Repsol Honda team riders Pedrosa and Stoner on his own with Yamaha, has won six races this season. He heads to Valencia with an insurmountable 43-point lead over the crestfallen Pedrosa.
“It’s a sad feeling more than disappointment,” Pedrosa said. “I pushed as hard as I could and I did what I had to do and I have no regrets for my riding, especially this season.
“Concerning the crash, it was nothing strange. I just went wider on the corner, I had some chatter and lost the front. Maybe the tire was not warm enough as well, but it’s like it is.”
Stoner lost all chance of defending the world title he carried off last year at Phillip Island when he missed three rounds after a horror crash at Indianapolis.
But he said Sunday’s victory was a fitting way to end his troubled season.
“That was something extraordinary, it’s been a fantastic weekend from the very first lap and otherwise than a little upset (fall) yesterday, the weekend couldn’t have gone more smoother,” Stoner said.
“This race has just been amazing for me over the years. This is almost right up there with last year.
“The crowd was something special and unique. I’ve seen it quite a few times, not for me, and it was fantastic here in Australia to see so many people out there.”
Stoner reiterated he would not change his mind about retirement at 27.
“There’s definitely some aspects of my racing that I’m going to miss for sure, and I have so much respect for Jorge and Dani and we’ve been challenging and fighting each other for so many years,” he said.
“When I announced my retirement I said that the sport would have to make dramatic changes for me to even consider coming back.
“I can never say never, but honestly I have no thoughts whatsoever at this time of even thinking of coming back, so nope, sorry.”
It was a remarkable victory for Stoner, who underwent surgery on torn ligaments and fractures to his ankle, tibia and fibula following a crash during qualifying for the Indianapolis MotoGP in mid-August.
The Australian’s hopes of defending his world title were ruined by the injury lay-off. Despite his fifth win of the season he is in third spot on the championship standings.
Britain’s Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow rounded out Sunday’s top three, finishing 14.570 seconds behind Stoner.
Pedrosa tumble hands Lorenzo motorcycling world title
Pedrosa tumble hands Lorenzo motorcycling world title
Neto treble fires Chelsea’s FA Cup rout of Hull
- It was an emotional evening for Blues boss Rosenior
KINGSTON UPON HULL: Chelsea eased into the FA Cup fifth round as Pedro Neto’s hat-trick inspired a 4-0 win at Hull on Liam Rosenior’s return to the club that sacked him two years ago.
Rosenior’s side took the lead through Neto’s superb first-half strike before the Portugal forward netted again after the break.
Estevao Willian scored Chelsea’s third and Neto completed his treble to wrap up the fourth round rout at the MKM Stadium.
It was an emotional evening for Blues boss Rosenior as he faced the club that ruthlessly severed their long relationship with him in 2024.
Rosenior supported Hull as a child alongside his season-ticket holding grandmother, played for the club across five years and managed them for two seasons.
He was sacked after narrowly failing to reach the Championship play-offs amid criticism of his team’s conservative tactics.
Despite the painful end to his time at Hull, the 41-year-old said it was an “amazing thing” to return to Humberside and he took full advantage of the chance to show his old club what they had missed out on.
“This club means a lot not just to me but also my family for many reasons,” Rosenior said.
“I do hope they make the Premier League this year, but because of our attitude and application, that is what gave us the platform to win tonight.”
Rosenior has made an impressive start at Chelsea since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca in January, winning eight out of his first 11 matches in all competitions.
He made seven changes, with Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro among those to miss out, but Chelsea were still too strong for the Championship promotion chasers.
“Pedro Neto has been outstanding, he works so hard and has so much quality. I’m delighted to see him get the goals,” Rosenior said.
“The most pleasing aspect was the mentality. It was a really strong performance in terms of the mental application you need to be successful. Everyone worked really hard for each other.”
Chelsea dominated possession to such an extent that it was little surprise when they finally made the breakthrough in the 40th minute.
Liam Delap teed up Neto and he whipped a superb finish into the corner from 20 yards.
Andrey Santos’ towering header was pushed over by Dillon Phillips after the interval and, from the resulting corner, Chelsea doubled their lead in the 51st minute.
Neto’s inswinger caught Phillips flat-footed at the near post, bouncing through his legs without a touch from either team.
Chelsea had blown a two-goal advantage in their 2-2 draw with Leeds in the Premier League on Tuesday.
But there was no chance of a repeat and Estevao grabbed their third with a composed finish from 12 yards in the 59th minute.
Neto made it four in the 71st minute, caressing a low finish past Phillips from Delap’s lay-off.
Wrexham beat fellow Championship side Ipswich 1-0 in Friday’s other fourth round tie.
The Welsh club, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, are into the last 16 for the first time since 1996-97.
