Rossi clinches sixth MotoGP title with victory; Three Americans finish in top 10

MOTEGI, Japan, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 – The Doctor is back on top of the world.

Valentino Rossi, nicknamed “The Doctor,” added to his legend by claiming his sixth MotoGP World Championship by winning the Grand Prix of Japan on Sept. 28 at Twin Ring Motegi.

It was Rossi’s first championship since 2005, as he became just the second rider to regain the premier-class title after a two-year gap. Fellow Italian legend Giacomo Agostini was the first, in 1975. Rossi only trails Agostini, who won eight premier-class titles, on the all-time list.

“We have lost for two years, and I don’t think I was the favorite this season, but we have shown that we are a great team and that we never give up,” Rossi said. “Now I have to get used to being World Champion again.”

Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Rossi passed 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner with 10 laps remaining in the 24-lap race after a taut duel, winning by 1.943 seconds on his Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha/Bridgestone. Dani Pedrosa finished third on his Repsol Honda Team Honda/Bridgestone.

Pole sitter Jorge Lorenzo finished fourth on his Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha/Michelin. 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden followed his fine second-place finish at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a solid fifth place on the Repsol Honda Team Honda/Michelin.

Hayden held off a charging pack of four riders that included fellow American Colin Edwards, who finished seventh on the Tech 3 Yamaha Yamaha/Michelin. Just 1.626 seconds separated fifth-place Hayden from ninth-place Andrea Dovizioso, who was named at this event as Hayden’s replacement next season on the Repsol Honda Team. Hayden is moving to the Ducati Marlboro Team as Stoner’s teammate in 2009.

John Hopkins finished 10th on his Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki/Bridgestone to round out a strong day for American riders. It was the second time this season that all three Americans on the MotoGP grid finished in the top 10, the first coming at the Grand Prix of Catalunya on June 8.

Stoner, Pedrosa and Rossi locked into a tense struggle for the lead for four laps early in the race, separated by a bike length at most. Pedrosa and Stoner swapped the lead twice while Rossi watched their duel from a close third. Rossi then dove under Pedrosa for second on Lap 6 and sat on Stoner’s rear wheel, applying constant pressure for eight laps before making his decisive pass.

Rossi earned his fifth consecutive victory and his eighth win overall this season.

There also was big news off the track. FIM and Dorna officials announced only one tire manufacturer will supply the MotoGP class in 2009, with bids being accepted until Oct. 3.