Grand prix champion Stoner celebrates sweetest victory of all -ozzy go- theage.com.au

THE sun finally shone at Phillip Island yesterday. It shone on
Casey Stoner and on the thousands who stood as he entered the
final straight — his lead unassailable — to cheer.

Australia has a home grand prix winner for the first time since
Mick Doohan in 1998. The world champion is also the champion of
Australia.

Stoner won without show — no finish-line wheelie — clapped
hands with his father Colin, and then shared a kiss and quick
word in the ear of his wife Adriana.

Then, as they gathered around him in their tens of thousands, he
smiled and sprayed champagne over the adoring fans who filled
the straight. It was, mused third-placed Valentino Rossi
afterwards, "like big party".

In truth, though this was all they had come to see, the manner in
which it happened was strangely anti-climactic. The race never
matched the early hype nor the excitement of the post-race
celebrations as thousands of fans hurdled the fences and ran on
to the track, eager for their place at the podium party.

It was a record crowd across the three days, though the 50,425
piled into the Phillip Island circuit yesterday was not a Sunday
best.

On Thursday, Rossi said he was worried about Stoner's trademark
powerful start. He was right to be. After qualifying only third
fastest, the Australian leapt away from the line, passing Rossi and
Spaniard Dani Pedrosa to reach turn one in first place. He was
never headed.

Behind him, they scrapped and scragged. Rossi, American Nicky
Hayden, Pedrosa and Stoner's teammate Loris Capirossi slipped
into a dogfight for the minor positions.

They slugged away at each other while, out in front, Stoner just
kept riding away. Each lap, his lead grew. By the half-way mark,
only a grievous error or mechanical failure could have lost it. Neither happened.

In the past three weeks he has sealed the world title, enjoyed a
fortnight's holiday at the family farm and sealed his place in the
pantheon of Australian champions. Could it get any better, he was
asked afterwards. "No, I don't think so," he said. "To come out in
front of one of the biggest crowds ever in Australia is an
unbelievable feeling. I don't think..." full story on theage.com.au
pics from ducati.com