Rossi romps as Stoner crashes out

Eurosport - Mon, 18 Aug 22:18:00 2008

Valentino Rossi tightened his grip on the MotoGP world championship lead, winning the Czech GP at Brno while Casey Stoner crashed out.
Reigning champion Stoner lost the front end of his Ducati while leading on lap seven of 22, sliding into the gravel.

Although he briefly rejoined the race the Australian retired the following lap as his bike was too badly damaged.

Rossi cruised to a dominant win, crossing the line over 15 seconds ahead of Alice Ducati's Toni Elias, with Rizla Suzuki veteran Loris Capirossi third.

The win leaves Rossi 50 points clear of Stoner - the equivalent of two race wins - with six rounds remaining, leaving the Italian odds-on to claim a sixth world championship in motorcycling's premier class.

"It's a great advantage [to have a 50-point lead]," Rossi said.

"[But with] six races with a driver like Stoner who demonstrates a fantastic speed everywhere and in every condition, it's not enough, but for sure better than 25."

"Yesterday was very difficult," said Elias, who captured the fourth podium of his career.

"[So] I started from the back, I passed many riders during the race and was finally in second and comfortable with my rhythm."

The Brno circuit heavily favoured the Bridgestone tyres used by each of the top eight, with Michelin riders a long way off the pace both in the race and Saturday's wet qualifying session.

Britain's James Toseland struggled all weekend - and was technically outside the qualifying time limit - and had to settle for 13th place, just ahead of Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards.

One-time championship leader Dani Pedrosa - another Michelin runner - claimed just a single point in 15th as he continues to be dogged by injury.