Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda RC213V) capped off a dream weekend with his sixth win in a row at his cherished Phillip Island Circuit before a record crowd of his sun-splashed fellow countrymen.

All weekend long it was clear that the reigning world champion was the man to beat and in the end no one could. So certain were the race organisers of his supremacy that they passed out paper crowns to celebrate the king’s final coronation. He did not disappoint.

Though he also did not lead every lap. Team-mate Dani Pedrosa led the first of 27 laps in his quest to keep his championship hopes alive. But in the Honda hairpin on the second lap disaster struck. Pedrosa went into the corner with a bit too much pace and crashed, ending his title hopes. Then it was up to Stoner to fly the Honda flag and he did, proudly.

For the remaining 26 laps he put on a master clinic, easing away from Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo. Stoner’s lead was never in doubt and when he crossed the line first for the sixth time at Phillip Island, and took his fourth win of the season, he had a cushion of 9.223s.

So dominant has Stoner been at Phillip Island that of the 162 race laps run over the past six years, Stoner has led 160 of them.

Lorenzo would go on to finish second to win the 2012 MotoGP World Championship with Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow third. Pedrosa is guaranteed second in the championship and Stoner third in his final season before retiring.

Alvaro Bautista (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC213V) battled Stefan Bradl to the very end, along with Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso. Theirs was the fight for fourth and it went down to the very end. The trio swapped positions on the final two laps, with Dovizioso taking the spot by .129s over Bautista, with Bradl only .035s behind in sixth.

Michele Pirro (San Carlo Honda Gresini FTR) struggled with fairing problems towards the end of the race and finished a lap down in 14th. Still, riding the Honda CBR1000RR-powered FTR he scored points for the sixth race in a row, his most productive stretch of his rookie season. Marc Marquez (Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol – Suter) celebrated the Moto2 World Championship by finishing a strong third.

Marquez needed only two points in the final two races to secure the title that he came close to winning last year. Rather than play it safe, Marquez attacked from the start.
But early on it was evident that no one was going to match the pace of Pol Espargaro.

Taking the lead on the third of 25 laps, Espargaro set a blistering pace that added a second to his lead on a number of laps. He continued to pull away and crossed the finish line with a gaping 16.811s margin of victory.

The win was his fourth of the year, but it could not prevent Marquez from adding the Moto2 crown to his early 125cc World Championship. Marquez returns to Spain with an insurmountable 39 point lead. And Espargaro is guaranteed second; his lead over Andrea Iannone (Speed Master – Speed Up), third in the championship, is 72 points. Iannone was forced out of the race with a mechanical issue.

For the locals the day belonged to Anthony West (QMMF Racing Team-Speed Up). The veteran had gone seven years between podiums before finishing second last week in Malaysia. But that was in the rain, his specialty. Today he was narrowly second in the dry; second through fourth were covered by .147s. Marquez got a strong drive out of the final corner to pass Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex) for third and narrowly miss out on beating Westie.

Redding deserved a podium, but had to settle for a secure fourth. Nine seconds back Dominique Aegerter (Technomag-CIP Suter) won the battle for fifth in a photo finish over Johnathan Zarco (JiR Moto2 – Motobi), with Simone Corsi (Came IodaRacing Project – FTR) a mere .063s behind.

Tito Rabat (Tuenti Movil HP 40 – Kalex) Randy Krummenacher (GP Team Switzerland - Kalex) and Takaaki Nakagami (Italtrans Racing Team –Kalex) finished within .208 secs. of each other to fill out the top ten.

Miguel Oliveira (Estrella Galicia 0,0 – Suter Honda) chased recently crowned world champion Sandro Cortese almost to the stripe to record a career best second place finish in the Moto3 class.

Cortese and Oliveira cleared out on the seventh lap in the 23-lap race, after a number of riders, including the leaders, were docked ride-through penalties after jumping the start.

Oliveira took his time at the point for two laps late in the race, but Cortese saw that the pace was slowing and re-took the lead on lap 20 of 23, running out the string. Oliveira was strong to the finish to take second. His previous best had been third in Catalunya.

Alex Rins (Estrella Galicia 0,0 – Suter Honda) missed out on third by only .053s. The Phillip Island first-timer moved from sixth to fourth on the penultimate lap, holding off Danny Kent (KTM) at the line. Kent, in turn, just shaded Romano Fenati (Team Italia FMI- FTR Honda) by .002s. Fenati’s team-mate Alessandro Tonucci was seventh.

The season concludes back in Europe, at Valencia, on November 11.

MotoGP

Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda: Race winner

“It was very important for me to win a race before the end of the season and I'm really happy to do it here, at home, in front of the huge crowd. My biggest worry was to be fit again and competitive for this race, but we managed it and we had something over everyone else and this was the perfect way to say goodbye here. I was pretty nervous going into the race, but the conditions were fantastic for a Phillip Island race. When I knew I only had a few laps left and a big lead, I was watching the crowd and it was fantastic to see everyone cheering me on, it made me very proud to be Australian.

My biggest congratulations to Jorge [Lorenzo]. He's ridden an almost perfect season finishing first or second when possible and I'm just disappointed not to be in the championship fight, but I made my own mistakes and this is how things go. My condolences to Dani [Pedrosa] —I saw him crash out in front of me— but he had to push today and go out and win the race to keep his championship hopes alive. It was a small mistake, easy to do in this corner and I feel very sorry for him. Thanks to everyone for coming down and showing their support.”

Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: DNF

“It's a sad feeling more than disappointment; I pushed as hard as I could; I did what I had to do and I have no regrets for my riding, especially this season. I feel very proud of my team and of my performance throughout the year. I think after what happened in Misano, we showed a very good attitude, skill and power. So, there is some sadness because we've been closer than ever to take the title, but also proud for all we achieved.

Concerning the crash, it was nothing strange; I just went wider on the corner, I had some chatter and lost the front; maybe the tyre was not warm enough as well, but it's like it is. Congratulations to Casey [Stoner] for his sixth win at his home grand prix and to Lorenzo because he deserved the championship, as well as Marc Márquez in Moto2.”

Alvaro Bautista, San Carlo Honda Gresini: 5th

“We have achieved our objective here, but I have to recognise that if it wasn't for the crash from Dani Pedrosa I would have been sixth. I am disappointed for him because he has produced some extraordinary races recently but today he lost the championship on the second lap. This morning in the warm-up we could see that (Cal) Crutchlow had a better pace than us so when I saw Pedrosa crash I just tried my best to stick in the group behind Lorenzo in the hope we could fight for the podium but we were lacking straight line speed. All the time I lost down the straight I had to make up for the rest of the lap, but it was a fun battle with Dovizioso and Bradl, we passed each other many times and the race went quickly for me. I made one last attempt at the end but again Dovizioso got me down the straight and then did a good job to close every door. Anyway it's a positive result so thanks to all the team and now let's hope we can seal fifth in the championship at Valencia.”

Stefan Bradl, LCR Honda MotoGP: 6th

“Off course we are all happy because we did not expect such a close fight for the fourth place today after the difficult first day of practices we had here. It’s a shame that we lost the fourth place, because I was on hard tyre today and had a small advantage on my competitors, so I thought I could take it. But the other guys had other advantages on me so we were plus or minus on the same level. But on the last lap I was stopped by Bautista and Dovi (Dovizioso) passed me. I am not the one who usually lost the battle, but I am quite happy anyway because we showed our pace once again and want to thank the team for their excellent job this weekend.”

Michel Pirro, San Carlo Honda Gresini: 14th

“The objective was to finish as the third highest CRT, but we had a problem with the fairing that cost us time at the end of the race. It is a shame but I am happy to come away from this race with two points that consolidate my position as the third highest CRT in the championship and that is important.”

Moto2

Pol Espargaro, Tuenti Movil HP 40 – Kalex: Race winner:

“Surely I have done and the biggest race of my career, as perfect as when I won the the Spanish Championship. I was able to start fast, with both pace and with such an advantage to beat my opponents. I felt very comfortable in Phillip Island from the first practice and needed a race like this, because to validate my performance in practice. We lost the title mathematically and I congratulate Marc Marquez, who has been a worthy champion, but I said we would fight to the last breath, and I have. I did not want surprises, I started from the first moments and I've been running away with a brutal pace that I have not slowed down to the checkered flag. Now I hope to finish 2012 in Valencia, to celebrate with family, friends, and fans in general Espargarins, and then start working hard so that 2013 is my year.”

Anthony West, QMMF Racing Team – Speed Up: 2nd

“It’s amazing. It’s crazy how things work. I spent the last ten years fighting for this position and then it just comes twice in a row. It’s crazy. And to think I started the season without a ride and last minute turn up in Qatar and start riding for this team. So I really have to thank them a lot for giving me the chance to continue and for me this is a much better result that last weekend. Last weekend was just a big confidence booster for me. And that’s what I needed. I’ve been so sort of down and that’s what I needed to pump myself back up and this is the real result that I wanted in the dry. And everyone keeps telling me the wet man and the rain’s coming and it’s good, but I’m happy to be in the dry and have this result. And I want to congratulate Marquez on his title. It’s great.

Marc Marquez, Team CatalunyaCaixa – Suter: 3rd

“It's an incredible feeling, a dream. When you cross the finish line it is a great moment, but it happens very fast. The best bit comes with the celebration with the team. It is very satisfying to win the title. At this time I remember the hard times this year, the injuries, the support of my family and team. I cannot help but get emotional. It was a very difficult title victory, because Pol [Espargaró] has not made it at all easy for me and deserves my congratulations for the great season he's had. After the serious injury I suffered a year ago, which could taken me away from racing forever, the most important thing is that I was able to get back riding. This season the team formed a magnificent group. I have never felt so comfortable in a team before. We have full confidence in one another.”

Moto3

Miguel Oliveira, Estrella Galicia 0.0 Suter Honda: 2nd

“It was a tough race in which we fought hard. In the warm-up I suffered two crashes that worried me, but in the race, riding behind Sandro [Cortese], I felt very comfortable. I managed to keep up and at the end when he overtook me, I focused on keeping second place. I am very happy with this podium. It has been a season of ups and downs, but in the last few races I have been improving gradually and today we confirmed this improvement. I am very happy for the team because we worked hard. With this podium, we can go to Valencia relaxed and aim to have fun.”

Alex Rins, Estrella Galicia 0.0 – Suter Honda: 4th

“I'm very happy, because neither I nor the team expected this fourth in my first race at Phillip Island. We started far behind, but I managed to put myself in the front group on the early laps, maintaining a good fight with (Arthur) Sissis, (Danny) Kent and (Romano) Fenati. I watched what Fenati was doing quite a lot. I repeatedly tried to pass on the last lap, but I managed to keep my position. When I came in fifth into the final straight, I did not expect to beat Kent on the KTM, but I did and I'm very satisfied.”

Romano Fenati, Team FMI Italia – FTR Honda: 6th

“What a fight against Kent, Sissis, Rins and (Alessandro) Tonucci. We had fun, being aggressive and fair at the same time. I did all I could. The bike was perfect, and it was fun to ride. Now we head to Valencia, a track where I rode during some tests. I like it, and I want to seize the Rookie of the Year award.”

MotoGP World Championship Grand Prix
Round 17: Australia

MotoGP

Rank	Rider (Team)
1	Casey STONER (Repsol Honda Team)
2	Jorge LORENZO (Yamaha Factory Racing)
3	Cal CRUTCHLOW (Monster Yamaha Tech 3)
4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO (Monster Yamaha Tech 3)
5	Alvaro BAUTISTA (San Carlo Honda Gresini)
6	Stefan BRADL (LCR Honda MotoGP)
7	Valentino ROSSI (Ducati Team)
8	Nicky HAYDEN (Ducati Team)
9	Karel ABRAHAM (Cardion AB Motoracing)
10	Aleix ESPARGARO (Power Electronics Aspar)
11	Randy DE PUNIET (Power Electronics Aspar)
12	Hector BARBERA (Pramac Racing Team)
13	Danilo PETRUCCI (Came IodaRacing Project)
14	Michele PIRRO (San Carlo Honda Gresini)
15	Ivan SILVA (Avintia Blusens)

Moto2

Rank	Rider (Team)
1	Pol ESPARGARO (Tuenti Movil HP 40)
2	Anthony WEST (QMMF Racing Team)
3	Marc MARQUEZ (Team Catalunya Caixa Repsol)
4	Scott REDDING (Marc VDS Racing Team)
5	Dominique AEGERTER (Technomag-CIP)
6	Johann ZARCO (JIR Moto2)
7	Simone CORSI (Came IodaRacing Project)
8	Esteve RABAT (Tuenti Movil HP 40)
9	Randy KRUMMENACHER (GP Team Switzerland)
10	Takaaki NAKAGAMI (Italtrans Racing Team)
11	Jordi TORRES (Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2)
12	Bradley SMITH (Tech 3 Racin)
13	Toni ELIAS (Italtrans Racing Team)
14	Xavier SIMEON (Tech 3 Racing)
15	Mike DI MEGLIO (Kiefer Racing)

Moto3

Rank	Rider (Team)
1	Sandro CORTESE (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2	Miguel OLIVEIRA (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
3	Arthur SISSIS (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
4	Alex RINS (Estrella Galicia 0,0)
5	Danny KENT (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
6	Romano FENATI (Team Italia FMI)
7	Alessandro TONUCCI (Team Italia FMI)
8	Efren VAZQUEZ (JHK t-shirt Laglisse)
9	Alex MARQUEZ (Ambrogio Next Racing)
10	Isaac VINALES (Ongetta-Centro Seta)
11	Jonas FOLGER (Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3)
12	Adrian MARTIN (JHK t-shirt Laglisse)
13	Jakub KORNFEIL (Redox-Ongetta-Centro Seta)
14	Brad BINDER (RW Racing GP)
15	Luis SALOM (RW Racing GP)