The latest run of back-to-back MotoGP races concluded just over a week ago in California with a dominant victory by championship leading Ducati rider Casey Stoner in the United States GP. Stoner now leads the riders’ table by 44 points over nearest rival Valentino Rossi. Bridgestone-shod riders locked out the top three positions with Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen taking second position, his third podium of the season, and Honda Gresini’s Marco Melandri scoring an heroic third place. Both rider have cemented top five positions in the championship equal on 113 points. Stoner’s team-mate Loris Capirossi took top Bridgestone honours at the preceding event in Germany making a spectacular return to the podium with an excellent second place behind eventual winner Dani Pedrosa.