Stoner's Blunder adds to Rossi's Thunder

Casey Stoner seems to be handing over the Championship title to Valentino Rossi by making a number of mistakes, probably a result of pushing himself that extra bit to ensure a win. For the second time in a row, Rosse took advantage of a slip-up by Stoner and took the chequered flag to win the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceske Republiky. Stoner’s crash and Rossi’s win have resulted in a 50 point advantage for the Fiat Yamaha rider.

Stoner led the race after a tremendous first lap that helped him stretch his lead over the Italian by over 1 second. But a front wheel slip on the fresh asphalt laid out on the tracks meant that Stoner was tasting gravel while Rossi took the lead. This was the first time that Casey retired from a race since joining Ducati Corse in 2007.

Toni Elias, however, ensured that Ducati would have a showing on the podium after the Alice Team rider took second place. Starting from 13th place, Elias burst ahead on the grid and took his first podium finish for 2008.

Loris Capirossi, a veteran in the sport, made his maiden appearance for Rizla Suzuki>. Starting from the third row, Capirossi demonstrated that there was still life in his helmet as he ended up in third spot on the podium. Suzuki became the fourth manufacturer with whom Capirossi has attained a top-three finish.

Honda had provided Shinya Nakano with a factory spec RC212V and Nakano ensured that the team wasn’t disappointed. He brought his ride in in fourth place and was the highest Honda rider on the day, Dani Pedrosa only managing a 15th place.

Anthony West’s result would, to some extent, decide his future in the premier class and riding a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR, West rode to his best finish yet, a fifth place ahead of fellow Aussie, Chris Vermeulen. Marco Melandri was seventh, Alex de Angelis finished eighth with Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo making the top-ten. Dovizioso and Lorenzo were the only saving grace for Michelin as they made it to the top-ten.