Lorenzo wins MotoGP world title

PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia (AFP) –

Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo of Spain powers through a corner during the warm-up session of the MotoGP class at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, on October 28. Lorenzo won the world championship later on, finishing runner-up to Casey Stoner.

Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo won the MotoGP world championship on Sunday, finishing runner-up to Casey Stoner at Phillip Island in Australia.

Lorenzo went into the race leading the championship by 23 points but it was effectively over when his main challenger Dani Pedrosa came off his bike on turn four during the second lap and retired from the race.

Australia’s Stoner took charge after Repsol Honda team-mate Pedrosa’s error and surged clear to win his sixth consecutive Australian MotoGP by more than nine seconds from Yamaha’s Lorenzo.

Lorenzo, who landed his maiden world MotoGP title in 2010, only had to finish three points ahead of Pedrosa in the Phillip Island race to claim the title and he was content to stay out of trouble and coast to the finish line to clinch his second world title.

Honda rider Casey Stoner of Australia celebrates after winning the MotoGP class at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, on October 28. Stoner took charge after Repsol Honda team-mate Pedrosa’s error and surged clear to win his sixth consecutive Australian MotoGP by more than nine seconds from Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo.

Stoner’s Repsol Honda was by far the dominant bike of the weekend, claiming pole position by more than half a second from Lorenzo with the best lap time in qualifying.

It was Stoner’s 38th MotoGP triumph in his 114th start as he winds down his career this season at 27 after announcing his retirement.

It was a remarkable victory for Stoner, who is not long back from surgery on torn ligaments and fractures to his ankle, tibia and fibula he suffered in 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 and despite his fifth win of the season he is out of contention, well back in third spot on the championship standings.

The final of race of the MotoGP season takes place in Valencia on November 11.