Stoner scorches to win in San Marino

MISANO – Ducati rider Casey Stoner claimed his third consecutive Moto GP victory when he finished ahead of fellow Australian Chris Vermeulen in San Marino yesterday.

American John Hopkins, on a Suzuki, finished third in what was the 13th leg of the 18-race series of the motorcycling world championship, in which Stoner has now reinforced his overall lead. Stoner started from pole position and as early as the first lap left most of his rivals in his wake.Spaniard Dani Pedrosa of Honda meanwhile was forced to abandon due to an early tangle with the Kawasaki of Frenchman Randy De Puniet.Italian Valentino Rossi, whose championship winning ambitions are disappearing with every race, had another day to forget, the seven-time world champion pulling out having dropped a lap behind the frontrunners when he slid off the circuit on the fifth lap.Stoner steadily imposed an infernal pace on his chasers in the closing laps of the race to come over the line in triumph.Nampa-AFPStoner started from pole position and as early as the first lap left most of his rivals in his wake.Spaniard Dani Pedrosa of Honda meanwhile was forced to abandon due to an early tangle with the Kawasaki of Frenchman Randy De Puniet.Italian Valentino Rossi, whose championship winning ambitions are disappearing with every race, had another day to forget, the seven-time world champion pulling out having dropped a lap behind the frontrunners when he slid off the circuit on the fifth lap.Stoner steadily imposed an infernal pace on his chasers in the closing laps of the race to come over the line in triumph.Nampa-AFP