Stoner wins Laguna Seca MotoGP

In front of a crowd of over 52,000 fans, the MotoGP field lined up under the California sunshine for the start of the Red Bull US Grand Prix. Yamaha Factory rider Lorenzo had a great launch from pole position leading into turn one with Dani Pedrosa heading the trio of Repsol Hondas behind the Spaniard. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini) had a strong start and followed a tight fifth behind the Hondas until he crashed exiting turn 5 on lap seven, ending the race for the Italian.

While Lorenzo led the race, Stoner was picking up steam behind him, first passing his team mate Pedrosa on lap 18 of the 32 lap race, then ticking off fast laps to reel in the race leader. The Australian caught up to the Spaniard and proceeded to pressure him for several laps, finally making his move around the outside of Lorenzo with six laps to go. Stoner immediately put down the hammer and pulled away, crossing the finish with a five and a half second lead to take his fifth win of the 2011 season.

Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) had a poor start at his home track, fighting his way past Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) in the early laps of the race, then scrapping with Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) to end the race in fourth position, the highest placing American on home turf.

Dovizioso crossed the line in fifth place, ahead of the battle for sixth between the Ducati Team riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. Hayden lost out to the Italian, crossing the line on his GP11 seven tenths behind the newer GP11.1 of Rossi.

Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was unable to improve the feeling of his bike after citing struggles with it after qualifying the day before, ending the race what is sure to be a disappointing eighth place in front of a huge following of loyal fans at the circuit. Héctor Barberá (Mapfre Aspar) finished in ninth, one place behind his qualifying position and Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Honda Gresini) met his top ten goal, finishing in tenth. Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) finished eleventh, in front of Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing) who is still struggling with pain from injuries, and Toni Elías (LCR Honda) in thirteenth.

Cal Crutchlow crashed out on lap three, the British rider hugely disappointed after qualifying ahead of his team mate Colin Edwards at the Texan's home track. Álvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) fell on lap 13, while Ben Bostrom rode off the track after missing a gear on lap six, and decided not to re-enter the race, retiring the LCR Honda to the garages.

Race Classification
Rd. 10 - Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix

1. Casey STONER
2. Jorge LORENZO
3. Dani PEDROSA
4. Ben SPIES
5. Andrea DOVIZIOSO
6. Valentino ROSSI
7. Nicky HAYDEN
8. Colin EDWARDS

Championship Standings
after 10 of 18 rounds

1. STONER 193
2. LORENZO 173
3. DOVIZIOSO 143
4. PEDROSA 110
5. ROSSI 108
6. SPIES 98
7. HAYDEN 94
8. EDWARDS 67

Full results at www.motogp.com