August 18th, 2008 by R.J.

Valentino Rossi once again benefited from Casey Stoner’s misfortune for a second consecutive MotoGP victory; crossing the finish line first at the Czech Grand Prix. The Fiat Yamaha rider’s top podium position,  coupled with an early crash from his title rival, increased Rossi’s lead to 50 points in the standings and gave a significant boost to his World Championship hopes.

Rossi had this to say after the race: “I knew today would be very difficult with Casey (Stoner) so strong, and his first lap was impressive. I lost a bit of time with John (Hopkins) in the first corner, because he overtook me. This time we had the pace with Stoner, and I was catching up with him. I knew my setting and tyres were working well. I think I could possibly have beaten him in a battle. Unfortunately he crashed, and then I was ahead with a 11 second lead. If he hadn´t have crashed then things would have been tougher, for sure.”

Here are the results:

1  - Valentino Rossi   - Fiat Yamaha          - 43:28.841
2  - Toni Elias        - Alice Ducati         - 43:43.845
3  - Loris Capirossi   - Rizla Suzuki MotoGP  - 43:50.530
4  - Shinya Nakano     - Honda San Carlo      - 43:54.700
5  - Anthony West      - Team Kawasaki        - 43:58.306
6  - Chris Vermeulen   - Rizla Suzuki MotoGP  - 43:59.449
7  - Marco Melandri    - Ducati Marlboro Team - 44:05.294
8  - Alex De Angelis   - Honda San Carlo      - 44:05.591
9  - Andrea Dovizioso  - JIR Honda Scot       - 44:07.663
10 - Jorge Lorenzo     - Fiat Yamaha          - 44:08.414
11 - John Hopkins      - Team Kawasaki        - 44:08.451
12 - Sylvain Guintoli  - Alice Ducati         - 44:09.733
13 - James Toseland    - Yamaha Tech3         - 44:40.331
14 - Colin Edwards     - Yamaha Tech3         - 44:49.974
15 - Dani Pedrosa      - Repsol Honda         - 45:05.879
16 - Randy De Puniet   - Honda LCR            - 45:07.248