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28 March 2024

Casey Stoner wins Portugal Grand Prix

Published
By AP

World MotoGP champion Casey Stoner won his second consecutive race of the season at the Portugal Grand Prix on Sunday to go top of the standings, one point ahead of Jorge Lorenzo.

Stoner rode his Honda from pole position around the 4.2-km Estoril circuit in 45 minutes, 37.513 seconds for his 35th career victory.

After three races, the Australian pilot has 66 points, while Lorenzo trails with 65.

``It was a fantastic race. Despite some trouble with the chassis we were able to stay in front,'' said Stoner, who had never won in Portugal.

``I am proud. Any time you win is a moment to be proud. Another one to cross off my list.''

Lorenzo accelerated from fourth place to second with a great start aboard his Yamaha and held on to finish runner-up. Stoner's teammate Dani Pedrosa finished in third place to record his 100th career podium.
``
I am very happy with the second place finish,'' Lorenzo said. ``I didn't expect to run so fast. We made some changes from yesterday and they worked. It was too bad I was very tired because it stopped me from going for it at the end.''

Pedrosa, who won here last year, was disappointed to have slipped from second on the grid, and to have never really had a shot at defending his title.
``It's a pity. We were running well in the practice session,'' Pedrosa said. ``But I wasn't fast enough today and it was tough for me to even stay in touch.''

Seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi came in seventh, over 26 seconds off the pace.

In the Moto2 class, leader Marc Marquez held off fellow Spaniard Pol Espargaro with the two riders changing positions four times down the stretch to claim his second race of the season. Thomas Luthi of Switzerland finished third.