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Sunday Oct 26 2008
Round 18 - Comunitat Valenciana GP - Race

STONER TAKES SIXTH VICTORY OF THE SEASON AT VALENCIA AND SECURES SECOND PLACE FOR DUCATI IN CONTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Casey Stoner took a dominant victory in the final round of the 2008 MotoGP season to secure second place in the Constructors' World Championship for Ducati. Today's win, at the circuit where he celebrated his debut success in the 125cc class back in 2003, was also the 150th for Australian riders in all Grand Prix classes.

Not only that, but Stoner's sixth victory of the season means that the Italian factory have taken 17 wins from 36 races since the start of the 800cc era - an average of almost 50%.

Marco Melandri enjoyed a positive but ultimately unfortunate final race with Ducati, the Italian rider coming through from the very back of the grid to lap in tenth place, only to run off track two laps from the end - returning to finish the race in sixteenth.

Tomorrow the Ducati Marlboro Team will be back on track to begin preparations for next season, with Casey Stoner joined for the first time by his new team-mate Nicky Hayden.

CASEY STONER (Ducati Marlboro Team) 1st

"We couldn't really have asked for much more today. To end a difficult season in this way is a fantastic feeling and it's a nice way to thank everybody at Ducati for their hard work. Once again my crew got it right, finding a good setting for the bike despite limited dry track time. To be honest I was quite worried during qualifying yesterday because I didn't have a good feeling at all but by the time we put the softer tyres on the bike was already feeling better and then the guys did a fantastic job overnight and in the warm-up this morning to iron out a few more of the problems. This was the first time we've ridden in these conditions all weekend so there were still a few question marks before the race, so to go out and set the pace like that was a nice feeling. Now I'm really excited about testing the new bike tomorrow. It felt good the last time I rode it and I'm sure they've made it better, so hopefully we can have a good first session and go home for the winter full of optimism about next season."

MARCO MELANDRI (Ducati Marlboro Team) 16th

"Despite everything that was a fun race because I felt quite comfortable on the bike and I was able to attack and pass a whole bunch of riders. Starting from so back was a handicap and I lost touch with the fast group that Lorenzo was in. But I lapped well with a decent pace. Unfortunately near the end of the race I hit neutral instead of first gear and ran wide. I'm disappointed because it would have been nice for me and the team to finish well. At least it was a dignified race."

FILIPPO PREZIOSI (Technical Director Ducati Corse)

"The win from Casey today is a real gift to us because we've finished second in the championship. I'm also happy because after two days of tests here on Monday and Tuesday Casey will finally be able to have his operation in the knowledge that he finished the season with a wonderful victory. I'm pleased for Marco because even though he didn't got the result in the end, he has fought hard, made a lot of passes and rode as he knows he can in his final race with us.”

Sunday Sep 21 2008
Race day - Vallelunga

FABRIZIO (DUCATI XEROX) TAKES SECOND AT VALLELUNGA, CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE REMAINS IN THE BALANCE

Vallelunga (Italia), Sunday 21st September 2008: Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) celebrated a second place finish in front of his home crowd at the Vallelunga circuit this afternoon. A race in which Troy Bayliss could have taken the title, Fabrizio not only took a podium place but also played the role of team-mate to perfection, doing his utmost to help Bayliss take the title, only to see Bayliss fall on the closing lap.

In Race 1, and despite a strong start, Ducati Xerox factory rider Troy Bayliss held the lead for just a lap before the chasing pack started to create problems for the Australian, overtaking him one by one. The 24-lap race was characterised by a battle at the front between Haga, Biaggi and Corser, all strong riders at this track last year too. An anomaly with both the front and rear tyres meant that 39-year old Troy and his Ducati F08 were unable to catch the leaders and he was forced to settle for eventual sixth position. Team-mate Michel Fabrizio rode a consistent first race, starting from, and also finishing in, seventh position.

The second race was one of the most exciting of the season, with Bayliss needing to finish the race just five points ahead of Corser to take the title. Bayliss made another flying start and held the lead this time for the first five laps, before Haga passed him for the first time. Bayliss and Haga held the lead for the rest of the race, battling it out for first place while a hungry Fabrizio chased Corser in a battle for third. Fabrizio was aware of the situation and knew that, in taking Corser, he would not only finish on the podium but also help his team-mate Bayliss to take the title. On the final lap Fabrizio achieved his goal, only to see team-mate Bayliss crash out a couple of corners later. Bayliss picked up his bike to complete the race in sixteenth position.

Bayliss' lead in the championship has dropped from 101 to 79 points, ahead of Corser in second and Haga and Neukirchner who now lie in joint third place. Fabrizio take away a healthy 29 points from the weekend's racing and lies in eighth place with 201 points.

Ducati takes solid points today in the manufactures classification and so continues to lead the championship, holding 479 points ahead of second-placed Yamaha (416 points).

Troy Bayliss (Race 1 - 6th, Race 2 - 16th)
"Well of course we were hoping to take the title here today and so of course I'm disappointed. It was a great race and I lost, that's about all I can say. I gave it everything I had in the second race and was fighting to pass Haga. As I didn't know what was happening behind me, and so had no idea that Michel was about to pass Corser, I'd already decided in the closing stages, with six laps to go, that I was going to try and take Nori and either win or crash because I knew that me finishing second and Corser third wouldn't be enough to take the title and I really wanted to finish the job here today. I got close enough but then riding so close to the limit, it only took one tiny thing, either a little bit too much brake or too much lean, and I went down. It didn't end the way we had hoped but we move on, there are still two rounds to go and I have a good points advantage still."

Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 - 7th, Race 2 - 2nd)
"I am really happy with my result although I am obviously really disappointed for Troy. I knew the points situation and knew that I could help Troy by getting past Corser and so I gave it my all. It wasn't easy as Corser was also riding really hard but I managed it in the end and am very happy to be on the podium at my home race. Race one was less of a success for me as we made a wrong choice with regard to the front tyre, in the same way that Troy did. At the end of today, I'm just sorry that me and Troy wont be celebrating together in the way that we might have been. I thank the whole team, the sponsors and my wife who have all helped me attain today's result."

RESULTS: Race 1 - 1. Haga (Yamaha); 2. Biaggi (Ducati); 3. Corser (Yamaha); Race 2 - 1. Haga (Yamaha); 2. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox); 3. Corser (Yamaha)

CLASSIFICATION: Riders - 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 369; 2. Corser (Yamaha) 290; 3. Haga (Yamaha) 280; 4. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 280; 5. Checa (Honda) 262; 6. Biaggi (Ducati) 212.... 8. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 201; 26.Canepa (Ducati Xerox) 3. Constructors - Ducati 479; Yamaha 416; Honda 357; Suzuki 355; Kawasaki 77

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