Heartbreak for Casey Stoner at the Valencia MotoGP 2009 season finale

November 8, 2:15 PMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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After a qualifying run that put him in the pole position for today’s final MotoGP race at Valencia, unlike what was reported earlier this morning, Casey Stoner (#27) crashed during the warm-up lap immediately prior to the race!

MotoGP rider Casey Stoner from Australia gestures during a news conference at the Cheste race track near Valencia, Spain, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. The Valencia Moto Grand Prix, the last race of the season, will take place Sunday. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

That crash took him out of today’s race, not only eliminating Casey’s chance at matching Jorge Lorenzo in the point standing for a 2nd place World Championship finish.  But, worse, his crash left the door open wide open for Dani Pedrosa to take the points necessary to secure his 3rd place World Championship podium.

And, with a first place finish at Valencia, Dani took those points -- enough to move 14 points ahead of Stoner in the MotoGP World Championship standings taking third place from Stoner.

After such a strong comeback in the last four races, this is a truly heart-breaking outcome for Stoner and the Ducati team.

For more information:
- Valentino Rossi punctuates his 2009 MotoGP World Championship victory
- Jorge Lorenzo secures second place in the MotoGP World Championship
- Ben Spies finishes stronger than ever at the 2009 Valencia MotoGP
- MotoGP.com Results and Statistics