Stoner continues top form in Dutch MotoGP

ASSEN, Netherlands (AFP) - Australian world champion Casey Stoner continued his excellent form on Saturday to win the Dutch motorcycling Grand Prix here ahead of Spaniard Dani Pedrosa and American Colin Edwards.

It is now two races out of two for the 22-year-old Ducati rider, after an imperious showing last weekend in the British GP at Donington.

"I was a bit nervous and tentative at the start but soon settled down. It's a pleasure to ride this bike and it's been really enjoyable," said Stoner, who clocked up his 20th career win.

The consecutive victories mean Stoner has bounced back into championship contention after a dismal first half of the season, which saw him go six races without a win.

The Australian, on pole, was never troubled after he made an electrifying breakaway, finishing over 11 seconds ahead of a field lead by Pedrosa, Edwards and 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden.

Stoner made up more points than was expected on championship leader Valentino Rossi, who crashed in the opening lap, but returned to finish the race in 11th place.

"I had no clue what happened, I noticed later on he (Rossi) was down the field and that there was some grass on the track which suggested there had been some sort of accident," said Stoner.
"I don't want anybody to crash so that I can win points that way, but I've had some bad luck too this year. The team have done a great job this weekend."

Pedrosa's second-placing and Rossi's bad luck now means the Spaniard assumes the lead in the championship standings on 171 points.

"It was important to finish in front, and second is a very good result. We had struggled a little, and in the race it was impossible to follow Casey," said the Spaniard, winner of the Catalunya GP.
"He was so fast, so I just tried my best to push. I am happy with this result, with returning to the podium and with the championship position."

Edwards, who started in the second row on his Yamaha, was on excellent form to claim third spot and his second podium of the championship.

"I had to almost stop when Rossi crashed, but somehow I have got on the podium," said the American.

Spain's Alvaro Bautista, riding an Aprilia, won the 250cc class race, finishing ahead of Swiss teammate Thomas Luthi and Italian Marco Simoncelli, on a Gilera.

Simoncelli's fifth successive podium finish means he closes the world championship gap between himself and Finnish leader Mika Kallio, who came home in seventh, almost 13sec off the pace.
In the 125cc, Hungary's reigning world champion Gabor Talmacsi, on an Aprilia, put in an excellent performance to win after starting on 13th on the grid.

That victory sees him gain three places in the overall standings, up to fourth on 93 points.
Frenchman Mike Di Meglio remains atop the standings on 141 points despite finishing seventh. Italy's Simone Corsi is just 16 points adrift of Di Meglio in second.