SACHSENRING (Germany), July 13: Australia’s world champion Casey Stoner won the German MotoGP here on Sunday riding a Ducati to give the team their first win in the race and record Australia’s 100th victory in the top category.

Stoner — winning his third successive race — beat home five-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi of Italy, on a Yamaha, while Stoner’s compatriot Chris Vermeulen was third on a Suzuki.

Rossi took the overall lead ahead of Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who crashed out with 26 laps remaining when holding a commanding advantage.

Pedrosa got a great start in the wet conditions which saw Stoner fail to take advantage of his pole position and drop to third after the first lap as nearly 100,000 spectators literally soaked up the atmosphere.

The Spaniard — whose compatriot Jorge Lorenzo had become the first casualty of the race on the third lap — had built up an enormous lead of over five seconds over Stoner, who had moved into second place, by the third lap.

However, his storming start came to an abrupt end with 26 laps remaining as he came off the bike and slid into a safety barrier leaving Stoner in front with Rossi hot on his tail while Vermeulen climbed into third.

Italian Marco Melandri — who had prior to the race had it confirmed that his wish of having the second year of his contract cancelled by the Ducati team had been granted — was also a casualty with another 21 laps still to race as the conditions took their toll.

Colin Edwards too came a cropper when in a promising fifth position with 10 laps remaining as Stoner kept his lead over Rossi.

Results:

1. Casey Stoner (Australia) Ducati 47 minutes 30.057 seconds; 2. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 47:33.765; 3. Chris Vermeulen (Australia) Suzuki 47:44.059; 4. Alex de Angelis (San Marino) Honda 47:44.181; 5. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Honda 48:12.079; 6. Sylvain Guintoli (France) Ducati 48:16.705; 7. Loris Capirossi (Italy) Suzuki 48:34.540; 8. Randy de Puniet (France) Honda 48:34.645; 9. Shinya Nakano (Japan) Honda 48:46.830; 10. Anthony West (Australia) Kawasaki 48:59.332; 11. James Toseland (Britain) Yamaha +1 lap; 12. Toni Elias (Spain) Ducati +1 lap; 13. Nicky Hayden (US) Honda +2 laps.—Agencies