The Ducati Marlboro Team pair were in jovial mood as they faced a barrage of questions from the world’s media. Many of them centred around a topic that has dominated the motorcycle racing headlines for the past few months – the form and fitness of Casey Stoner.

The drama started before the race had even commenced, as pole position holder Casey Stoner’s high-side crash on the warm-up lap meant he was unable to take his place on the grid. Jorge Lorenzo, who did well to hold onto his bike when a moment on the opening lap almost threw him off, was third, having already sealed second spot in the Championship by virtue of Stoner’s non-start. The Australian ended the season in fourth place overall, with Colin Edwards’ fourth place in the race allowing him to snatch fifth in the 2009 standings from Andrea Dovizioso. The top five on the day was completed by Nicky Hayden, Wildcard rider Ben Spies rode to an impressive seventh-placed finish.

The battle for the 2009 World Championship was blown wide open on Sunday at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix as Jorge Lorenzo scored a great win and his colleague Valentino Rossi suffered his first DNF of the year.Lorenzo eventually crossed the line with a 9.5s winning margin to cut Rossi’s championship lead in half, as the deficit dropped from 50 to 25 points, with five races remaining.

Dani Pedrosa triumphed at Laguna Seca on Sunday, taking the holeshot from fourth on the grid and not looking back – to cross the finishing line ahead of his closest rival Valentino Rossi. Riding with an injured shoulder and foot, Lorenzo had a chance to overtake Rossi for second with four laps to go but got his move wrong and had to settle for the final podium place.