Valencia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa wins as Rossi retires from the race

Dani Pedrosa has won the final race of the 2007 MotoGP championship at Valencia for Repsol Honda and Michelin, as newly-crowned champion Casey Stoner is forced to settle for second, and MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi is forced to pull into the pits.

Pedrosa was second away from the grid, behind the Ducati of Casey Stoner, but within a few laps he was able to push past and build a gap which was never challenged. Stoner finished second, with John Hopkins battling his way to third.

But away from the podium, the drama included the retirement of Valentino Rossi, already riding injured, and then suffering engine problems. By failing to score a point in the final round, Rossi is demoted to third in the final championship standings by Dani Pedrosa.

It was also a dramatic race for Carlos Checa, who moves to World Superbikes with Ten Kate Honda in 2008, and Alex Barros who will now retire from racing. Watching the racing with interest was British star James Toseland, preparing for his debut in MotoGP with Tech 3 Yamaha.

The 2007 MotoGP season may be over, but relive the historic events of the year with the official season review – available from Grand Prix Legends.

And don’t miss at least 23 new motorcycles in MCN’s biggest new bike launch issue of the year – out Wednesday November 7, 2007