The Brno GP of the Czech Republic is steeped in history and tradition. Of the current circuits making up the MotoGP calendar only Assen has hosted more Grand Prix events than Brno. Originally the meeting held at Brno was named the ‘Grand Prix of Czechoslovakia’ until 1991, when the country was divided and the Czech Republic was formed. Honda riders have won the premier class race at the current Brno circuit on ten occasions, Yamaha seven and Suzuki and Ducati both having only tasted victory champagne once.

Current championship leader Casey Stoner would be aiming to increase Ducati’s win tally to two after the Australian emphatically claimed pole position in Saturday’s high paced qualifying session. Joining him on the front row and hoping to maintain Honda’s dominance of the event in the past were Repsol riders Nicky Hayden and his teammate Dani Pedrosa. Heading up the second row of the grid was American John Hopkins, the Kawasaki bound rider would aim to improve on his past results at Brno, the Czech Grand Prix having been one of his least successful events, seventh place last year being his best result.

Completing the second row were Randy dePuniet and Italian maestro Valentino Rossi. Rossi scored his very first win in GP racing at Brno in 1996 in the 125cc class, after starting from pole for the first time in his career. He would be one to watch despite suffering poor form over the course of the weekend, his sixth place on the grid being his lowest ever qualifying position at Brno. Rounding out the top nine and making up the third row of the grid were recently signed 2008 factory Suzuki riders Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen along with American Yamaha veteran Colin Edwards.

The MotoGP grid set away from the line and into the undulating, forest surrounded natural amphitheatre that is the Automotodrom Brno circuit. Into turn one and the field was lead by pole sitter Casey Stoner followed in close vicinity by John Hopkins and Dani Pedrosa. Pedrosa was closely followed by his teammate Hayden, Capirossi, Rossi, dePuniet, Edwards and Vermeulen.

Colin Edwards crashed early on but was able to rejoin at the back of the field. With two laps completed Stoner continued to lead the way from Hopkins, who was matching the pace of the race leader, they were the only two riders in the one minute 58 bracket over the first two laps. Edwards, following his crash, a front end lose on cold tires, entered the pits and retired from the race after his bike had suffered too much damage.

In the early stages of the race Stoner and Hopkins had established a break over Nicky Hayden in third. Hayden had moved past his teammate Pedrosa and was looking strong, establishing a break over the next group of Capirossi, Pedrosa, Rossi and dePuniet. Pedrosa moved passed Capirossi and tried to close the gap to Hayden, both Repsol Honda riders looking good. Stoner began to pull a slight gap over the desperate Hopkins in second who was riding at the absolute limit to try and keep in touch with the appearing unstoppable Casey Stoner.

Hayden was looking stronger and stronger in third, not letting history repeat, having finished down in 9th place last year at Brno, his lowest point scoring finish in his world championship winning season. He was still being chased by his teammate Pedrosa who had been on the podium for the last five years at Brno. He was followed by Capirossi, Rossi, dePuniet and Vermeulen rounding out the leading riders.

Rossi moved past Capirossi for fifth place with 15 laps to run as dePuniet began to size up the Ducati rider in sixth, dePuniet enjoying the track at which he won the 250cc race at in 2003. Just behind dePuniet was Chris Vermeulen; he too enjoys the Brno circuit having finished third in race two of the World Superbike event at in 2005. Meanwhile back at the front Stoner was still one and a half seconds ahead of Hopkins in second. Hayden was a further six seconds behind in third with Pedrosa a further second behind his teammate.

The closest on track battle was being fought out in the next group; for fifth place between Rossi, Capirossi, Vermeulen and dePuniet, all four riders not quite having the pace of the front men. Vermeulen made a move on Capirossi with 10 laps to run and set after Rossi in fifth. Stoner’s lead at the front had now extended to two and a half seconds over Hopkins who still maintained six seconds over his countryman Hayden in third.

Hayden and Pedrosa were both riding lonely races in third and fourth respectively. Back in the chasing pack Vermeulen was looking strong behind Rossi, ominously threatening him at every twist and turn. The Australian Vermeulen made the move on Rossi with nine laps to run and as a result had clear track ahead of him as Pedrosa was some five seconds ahead in fourth. Loris Capirossi was the next man to past Rossi, the seven time champion visibly struggling to come to terms with his M1.

Someone who certainly wasn’t struggling was the man out in front. Casey Stoner had extended his lead once again, by a further second over Hopkins to three and a half. Hayden and Pedrosa, two seconds apart, were still riding lonely races, Hayden being some seven seconds behind Hopkins. With five laps to run the running order of the top 10 was Stoner from Hopkins, Hayden, Pedrosa, Vermeulen, Capirossi, Rossi, dePuniet, Barros and Checa.

Stoner was in superlative form; dominating the field as he did in the previous round at Laguna Seca and constantly extending his lead to a five second advantage over Hopkins with three laps remaining. Hopkins had ridden an extremely strong race in second but just didn’t quite have the edge that Stoner seemingly had. Hayden was riding extremely encouragingly in third as the first Honda and Michelin runner.
Stoner cruised home to victory well and truly a class above his rivals once again. Hopkins was impressive in second place, gaining his second ever MotoGP podium and he celebrated it in fine style with a big wheelie across the line. His countryman Hayden achieved some joy for Honda and Michelin, completing the podium in third. He was followed by his teammate Pedrosa, Vermeulen, Capirossi, Rossi, dePuniet, Barros and Carlos Checa completed the top ten in the final classifications.

Stoner’s win further extended his overall championship advantage and very much cemented his spot as the most likely winner of the 2007 MotoGP championship, leading Rossi by a massive sixty points. The MotoGP paddock will now move onto Misano after a two day test on Monday and Tuesday at Brno, followed by a one week break. The riders will have a new track to learn and a new opportunity to prove themselves during this vital contract renewal time.