MotoGP: Pedrosa wins, Stoner crashes

After taking out pole position in qualifying, Casey Stoner was widely tipped to claim victory at the 2012 German GP at the Sachsering, but it wasn't to be for the Australian world champ.

After battling with Repsol Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa for position one the entire race, the lead swapping on two occasions, he lost the front end of his bike tantalisingly close to the end of the race, on the final lap!

"I'm pretty disappointed," said Stoner - who was unhurt - after the race. "I had planned to go for my 'win or bin' effort in the last corner, not that one!"

While Stoner didn't finish the race, another Australian recorded his best ever result at Sachsenring - Jack Miller finished fourth in the Moto3 category with was an epic effort.

Back to MotoGP, and it appeared as though Stoner was attempting an overtaking move on Pedrosa on the first corner before the chequered flag and as a result has damaged his championship tilt as a result, dropping from equal first place on the standings to third, behind championship leader Jorge Lorenzo and second placed Dani Pedrosa. Stoner said he wasn't worried about the championship getting away from him however.

Meanwhile Pedrosa was stoked.

"I'm really very happy with this win," said the Spanish rider.

"It's been a really hard day though. Casey had a superb race also and put a lot of pressure on me at the end, but I knew that I had the pace and that we both would need to fight for the victory until the last turn."

Championship leader Lorenzo was philosophical about the races outcome, and recounted his bad luck at the previous race in Assen.

"Well, things can change completely in one race. In Holland we had a 25 point advantage then suddenly zero, one engine less and we were very disappointed. Then today we had some luck from Casey’s unfortunate crash.

"We struggled a little all weekend with the changing weather so we must be happy with the end result," added the Spaniard.

Pedrosa took out the race, Lorenzo was second, and in another impressive finish for the Yamaha satellite rider, Andrea Doviziosi was third, claiming the final podium spot.

"I am really happy to finish on the podium again and it is a great feeling to do it here because this track has never been the best for me," said Dovizioso. "It was the same in Assen last week, so to be on the podium there and also here at the Sachsenring shows the fantastic job that we are all doing in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team."

Cal Crutchlow should have finished in fourth after staying glued to Dovizioso's tail, but had a massive moment mid race with almost catastrophic speed wobbles, spearing off the track. The Brit managed to keep the bike going and returned to the race, eventually attacking the middle of the pack and salvage a few points in eighth place.

Ben Spies had a strong start, taking second place briefly after Pedrosa got the hole shot, but Stoner soon rounded him and Spies dropped back to fifth place within a half a dozen laps. He finished in fourth overall which should please his Yamaha bosses after a slow start early in the year.

Stefan Bradl clinched fifth place on the satellite LCR Honda bike, which was virtually a victory for the former Moto2 rider, claiming a clutch of championship point in front of his German home crowd.

Nicky Hayden needed a strong race to keep his Ducati seat alive, as the American rider all but confirmed that Ducati has offered Cal Crutchlow a contract in an interview with Steve Parrish before the race.

After qualifying seventh Hayden looked good and was challenging for sixth place but in the latter part of the race dropped back to 10th position and finished the race in that position. It certainly won't have done his chances of retaining his Ducati seat any good, especially as Valentino Rossi continued to improve, finishing in sixth place.

Alvaro Bautista managed seventh place on his San Carlo Honda Gresini, while Hector Barbera rounded off the top ahead of Hayden and behind Crutchlow.

Round 9 will take place in Italy at the Mugello circuit from July 15, where Ducati riders Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi will be keen to make a statement.

Not Classified
Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda
Mattia PASINI ITA Speed Master ART
Michele PIRRO ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR