" MOTOGP: Rossi!"

Valentino Rossi scored his first victory in MotoGP americas today, overcoming Casey Stoner in an epic battle to win the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. The absorbing contest between Rossi and Stoner was the center of impressive career that saw Rossi expand its classification to 25 points over Stoner.

Rossi secured his victory on lap 24 of 32 when Stoner made a rare mistake and ran wide at the last corner and dumped the gravel on his Ducati. Cost that young Australians the opportunity to advocate for the victory over the final laps with Rossi in a position to cruise to a 13 second margin back with Stoner for second.

But the Rossi-Stoner battle ended in a sharp exchange
between the two riders' parc ferme 'after the race. Stoner clearly believed that Rossi had been too aggressive with some of his overtaking moves.

The following conversation was picked up by the UK broadcaster BBC in its live coverage of the post-race confrontation as Rossi tried to shake hands with Stoner:

Rossi: "Great race."

Stoner: "No, you can not race this way."

Rossi: "That's racing, Casey."

Stoner: "That's racing? Well, we'll see."



After a strong ride from the third row of the network Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen was an impressive third although not coincide with those of the front-running pace with Rossi and Stoner.

This Rossi was the first victory on American soil on a track that is not their favorite and which has often been critical. However, the slow return Rossi stopped to kiss the asphalt in the Corkscrew in celebration of his victory but this was also the scene of a spectacular mid-race duel with Stoner.

Rossi started from second in the front row and immediately attacked, taking the lead on lap one and then the participation Stoner overtaking often in a brutal battle. The pair trade places five times in the back four.

"This is a great battle and Casey was unbelievable and now there are a lot of overtaking, but in the end a fantastic result," Rossi aid. "I knew I had to try to stay ahead of Casey and it is impossible even to relax for one second.

"I made a mistake when I went wide in the Corkscrew, but the dirt had good adhesion. I was stronger on the brakes so I had to do all my steps.

"This was an old-style race,
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a lot of aggressive overtaking, but also fun. "

While Stoner admitted that his mistake lap 24 was a mistake that cost him a chance of victory was less than impressed with what he considered Rossi's heavy-handed tactics.



Stoner led a tour officially, on 13, but this does not reflect that his Ducati was often side by side with Rossi Yamaha.

"Valentino was riding very well but also very defensive and he was not making any mistakes," said Stoner. "But some of their movements were too aggressive. I could only be 22 but I've been racing a lot of years and some of them were too in my opinion.

"The pace was high and I'm disappointed I made a mistake and ran into the gravel, I have to accept that the race was over after that.

"I'm behind 25 points in the championship, but there are seven races left and anything can happen."

Stoner announced a new record on lap 15 of 32 as he chased Rossi.

Bridgestone runners dominated the podium and, as predicted, the men fought with the Michelin tyre options that were too hard on the unseasonably cool conditions.

Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso was fourth and the first pilot Michelin, a great 34.9s behind the winner Rossi Bridgestone / Yamaha. Hero American Nicky Hayden (Honda) was fifth ahead of French Randy de Puniet (Honda).

There was no dream result of the U.S. with contingent AMA champion Ben Spies (Suzuki) coming home after the end of eighth career from Jamie Hacking (Kawasaki) 11.

After Colin Edwards also struggled with tyre grip, a common complaint of pilots Michelin, and was bitterly disappointed to be in his 14th career home.

Hayden was in third place seven laps and then fought Dovizioso.

"I was hoping to put up a better fight in my career, but struggled with tyre problems throughout the weekend, but we have learned some good lessons," says Hayden.

Spies was happy with his result in only his second trip in MotoGP and finished ahead of James Toseland and Shinya Nakano, for the career move.

"I got past Toseland and Nakano and Hayden could see ahead, but was too far," said Spies. "Then Elijah came for me and I though I had a lap more, but then left the flag."

Edwards fought under the grip of the tyre front and struggled to make an impression in the first ten.

"I do not think I have to say this race was far below what we expected," said Edwards.

In his debut MotoGP Hacking was impressive in a low yield Kawasaki and was briefly tenth behind spies before finishing 11 th.