Rossi grabs victory at Czech GP

Valentino Rossi was unstoppable in the 11th round of the MotoGP series to score his fifth victory this season. Taking the win by over 11 seconds in the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Rossi's main challenger crashed out, leaving Dani Pedrosa to give chase but it was to know avail. Still the Repsol Honda rider was satisfied today with second. Toni Elias was thrilled with his podium finish, giving the San Carlo Honda Gresini team a third place finish.

MotoGP: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix PR Release

PRESS RELEASE:
Dani Pedrosa, who has battled injury and misfortune for the last year, rose back to the top of the MotoGP podium with impressive fashion in capturing the 2009 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Red Bull-sponsored Pedrosa started fourth from the second row, but shot out of the start to take the lead and never give it up for the 32-lap race around the 11-turn, 2.2-mile track. Valentino Rossi, who was expected to defend his title race, moved from third to second and only made a real threat to Pedrosa on the last lap, when he closed the gap to .34 seconds at the checkered flag.

"I took it too slow the last lap," said Pedrosa, whose last win was June 8, 2008 at the Catalunya GP. "When I went into the last corner I saw his [Rossi] bike coming behind and I said maybe I was too slow, but fortunately I won the race."

After the race, Rossi claimed it was too risky for him to chance a last turn pass. "I was not at 100 percent today," said the Italian, who has 100 MotoGP wins in his career. "It was a great race and an important 20 points toward the championship."

Rossi's Fiat Yamaha teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, completed the podium despite racing with shoulder separation and bruised foot injuries sustained from a nasty highside crash during Saturday's qualifying. Lorenzo at times turned the fastest laps and nearly overtook Rossi towards the end of the race in the same turn he crashed the day before, but he overran the turn and had to settle for third at the finish. Casey Stoner, the 2007 race winner, finished fourth after falling back from second position following the holeshot. He too was very sore from a highside crash suffered in qualifying.

American Nicky Hayden recorded best finish of the 2009 campaign with a solid fifth place run, thereby boosting his confidence heading into the second half of the season, his first with manufacturer Ducati.

"All year it has been so hard, and we come home and finally were able to get a good solid result," said Hayden, the 2005 and 2006 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix winner. "After winning this race twice, it's hard to get excited for fifth, but for what we've been through and how we started this season, I'm really happy. Hopefully, by the time we get to Indy [Red Bull Indianapolis GP] we will be ready for a little more,"

The day's results boosted Rossi's hold on the world championship standings to nine points over teammate Lorenzo and 16 points over Stoner. Pedrosa remains far back in fourth place, 59 points back from Rossi, but his win at Laguna Seca signals to the field that Pedrosa has found his winning ways again.

Rossi just edges Lorenzo for Catalunyan win

It can't get any closer than this. After six races in the MotoGP 2009 season there are three riders tied for the championship. Valentino Rossi won the Catalunyan GP, the series round held this weekend. His Fiat Yamaha teammate, Jorge Lorenzo finished second.

The local hero was shut out from a pole to checker victory by less then a tenth from Rossi. Casey Stoner crossed the line third, enough to give him the 160 points to be part of a three-way tie with Rossi and Lorenzo. Rossi and Lorenzo made the race a two horse show as the Yamahas pulled away from Stoner and the rest of the field. As the Ducati rider watched on the top pair diced back and forth with neither giving an inch to his teammate. Most likely the Fiat Yamaha team were on the edge of their sets, praying the two didn't take each other out as they fought for the lead lap after lap.

On the final go around it looked Lorenzo might claim victory at his home track but Rossi had one move left in the last turn. The Italian's line was perfect and he had just enough to stream to cross the line before Lorenzo. It was truly one of the closest finishes seen in the series for a long time.

Stoner and Ducati finally take the Italian GP

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.