Stoner edges out Rossi in Barcelona thriller

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Closest challenger Valentino Rossi had started on pole but was beaten into the first corner by Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa who claimed the lead as the Italian dropped to fourth behind Stoner and John Hopkins.

Scroll down to read more:

Full tilt: Casey Stoner beat off Valentino Rossi to extend his lead at the top of the championship

Stoner was soon in front of Pedrosa though with Rossi passing Hopkins, on the Rizla Suzuki, at the start of the second lap of 25.

Pedrosa fell victim to Rossi shortly after the start of lap 10 with Stoner being rapidly reeled in too.

Rossi was then momentarily in front of Stoner, only for the Australian to regain supremacy with the lead then destined to changed hands twice more.

Stoner, on the more powerful Ducati Marlboro machine, took the chequered flag 0.069 seconds clear of his Fiat Yamaha rival and Spaniard Pedrosa in third.

Stoner, who increased his lead from nine to 14 points over Rossi in the standings, said: "In the first part of the race I was just trying to set a good pace, but as the race wore on I came under pressure from Valentino and Dani.

"We had been having problems with the bike going into corners but have made improvements and it is nice to be competitive again at European rounds."

In the 250cc class, Spain's reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo claimed victory to consolidate his advantage at the top of the current standings which he now leads by 36 points from Andrea Dovizioso.

Ireland's Eugene Laverty came home 19th and outside the points.