It was a weekend of what might have been for many MotoGP riders at Mugello for the Italian Grand Prix. Valentino Rossi might have once again dominated his home event. His Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo very well could have earned his third victory this year, helping him to keep his lead in the title chase.
Italian Andrea Dovizioso, who held the lead at one point today, looked on track for his first premium class win. Yet for all these riders, one man, Casey Stoner, took their goals over his knee and gave them a thorough thrashing. The Aussie came from sixth position in wet conditions to taste victory one second ahead of Lorenzo on the drying track. An afternoon rain shower before the start of today's race made for the fourth out of five grand prix weekends to be impacted by the weather.
Much like in France, on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit, the surface was just damp enough to make wet tires necessary. However, by lap eight the line had dried to make slicks the obvious choice. Stoner made the switch on lap ten, opting for a medium compound with the intent to charge back up the order as high as the Ducati would take him.
Stoner now retakes the points lead, while handing his manufacturer their first Italian GP win.
