Ducati report Phillip Island MotoGP 2007
Ducati riders Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi stormed Phillip Island today, scoring a stunning one-two result that secures the constructors’ World Championship for the legendary Italian factory and also the team’s World Championship
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi stormed Phillip Island today, scoring a stunning one-two result that secures the constructors’ World Championship for the legendary Italian factory and also the team’s World Championship for the Borgo-Panigale-based squad. Riding his first race as riders’ World Champion, Stoner led from start to finish while Japanese GP winner Capirossi fought through from fifth place on the first lap. It was an immaculate and dominant performance from Aussie Stoner who was cheered all the way by an ecstatic 50,000 crowd. At one point he led the pack by almost eight seconds, eventually crossing the line 6.763 seconds ahead of his team-mate.
Stoner’s ninth victory of the year is also the team’s fifth win from the past six races and the Ducati’s tenth win of this season. Stoner, who topped all but one of the five pre-race track sessions here, celebrates his 22nd birthday on Tuesday. Ducati is the first non-Japanese manufacturer to win the premier-class constructors’ title since 1973, when MV Agusta were champions.
CASEY STONER, winner, World Champion on 322 points
"Being up on the podium was just unbelievable, I’ve never felt anything like it. I’ve been working very hard for a lot of years trying to win here. This whole season has been magical for us, we came here with a lot less pressure after winning the title in Japan, so I could really enjoy this race. It’s definitely my best victory so far. I have to thank the Australian fans, it’s good to see so many of them here and I hope they’ve had a lot of fun, I really appreciate it. I made one of my best starts, I had the first corner to myself so I could concentrate on getting the tyres warmed up and ready to go. Nicky [Hayden, who DNFed] was really pushing in the beginning, he was on my rear wheel for a while but I managed to get away. I was really hoping, more than ever, that Loris would get on the podium here, so it’s been another great weekend for the team and for Ducati."
LORIS CAPIROSSI, 2nd place, 7th in World Championship on 150 points
"My start wasn’t really good, so in the early laps I had to fight a lot with Marco [Melandri] and in my opinion he was little bit too aggressive. I had to push really hard to overtake him and then I said ‘please take it easy’. After that I tried to keep my pace and I finished second, so I’m really, really happy and a big thanks to my team who worked so hard all weekend. This is another great moment, especially after my win at Motegi. I am trying to end my five years with Ducati in the best way possible. Ducati has won everything this year – the riders’, constructors’ and teams’ championships, which proves that everything’s working 100 per cent at the factory."
GABRIELE DEL TORCHIO, CEO Ducati Motor Holding "Winning the constructors’ and teams’ titles confirms and strengthens the value of the goal conquered three weeks ago by Casey. We have a great team of men and women who, with courage and warmth, have made a dream come true."
