Ducati Report
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."
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