Zoom Loris Capirossi

Casey Stoner is the new MotoGP World Champion after he finished sixth at the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan on a great day for Ducati Marlboro, with the Australian's colleague Loris Capirossi completing a hat-trick of Motegi wins.

Stoner took the title after a complicated contest in which Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi came home an unlucky 13th due to tyre problems. The Italian lost time after he entered the pits twice, with the Japanese track drying after some morning rain which saw the riders required to change from wet tyres mid-race – Rossi uncomfortable after his swap of bikes.

Kawasaki's Randy de Puniet got his first MotoGP podium finish as he crossed the line second, ahead of Honda Gresini's remarkable Toni Elias who was third despite still suffering due to his Assen injury.

Dunlop Yamaha Tech 3's Sylvain Guintoli rode brilliantly for his best ever premier class result too, missing out on a rookie season podium by just 0.666s.

Marco Melandri (Honda Gresini) was fifth having led the race, whilst sixth place was good enough to give Stoner the World Championship. De Puniet's team-mate Anthony West also led at one stage but was called in for a ride through penalty after a jump start and eventually crossed the line a creditable seventh.

Pramac d'Antin's Alex Barros, 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden and Rizla Suzuki rider John Hopkins completed the top ten, with Dunlop Yamaha Tech 3's Makoto Tamada the highest placed Japanese rider in 12th on a good day for his team.

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa did not complete the race due to a nasty highside crash on lap 15.

DORNA / CAPSIS International