Story highlights
World Champion Casey Stoner wins the Portuguese MotoGP
Stoner started in poll and led throughout
Lorenzo finished second, Pedrosa third
MotoGP moves on to Le Mans in France in two weeks time
World champion Casey Stoner returned to pole position in the title race after winning the Portuguese MotoGp, the first time the Australian has ever won at the Estoril circuit.
The win means that the 26-year-old has now tasted victory on every single Grand Prix track.
More importantly the Honda rider now goes one point clear of his nearest rival after winning last week’s Spanish MotoGP.
Casey, who started on pole, led from front with the result never looking in doubt as Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo – who had led the series by four points - fruitlessly gave chase.
Lorenzo did briefly threaten Stoner’s dominance halfway through the race by moving to within striking distance.
But Stoner held on and pulled away to a comfortable victory in much the same manor he secured victory in last weekend’s Spanish MotoGP in Jerez.
Stoner’s Honda team Dani Pedrosa completed the podium finishing third.
It was another disappointing race for the American Yamaha rider Ben Spies, whose team set him a target of winning two races this season.
But after a promising qualifying session on Saturday, where he secured fifth place on the starting grid, he eventually finished eighth.
The MotoGP circus moves to France in two weeks time for the fourth race of the season at the famous Le Mans track.
