Thread: MotoGP calendar in Red Bull US GP

Valentino Rossi added laguna Seca to his list of conquered tracks on the MotoGP calendar in a breathtaking Red Bull US GP, ending Casey Stoner's run of wins and garnering an important addition to his points tally heading into the summer break. In contrast to his comments after Saturday's qualifying session, Rossi needed neither a gun nor a 3D-second headstart to stop the man so dominant in practice.

Instead he relied on a storming start and his best pace of the weekend to stifle Stoner's breakaway attempt, presenting himself as the only object between the Australian and a fourth consecutive victory. A speedy start, some shaky moments and two top calibre riders separated from the rest of the field made for a thrilling race, and the end result was a 33rd victory for Rossi for the factory Yamaha team equalling his total for previous manufacturer Honda.



The deciding moment of the race came on lap 24, as Stoner and Rossi prepared to enter the home straight, when Stoner ran wide onto the gravel and fell. He nonetheless picked the Ducati Des¬mosedici GP8 back up with a cushion on the timesheet significant enough to allow him to finish second and move up in the overall classification.