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Stoner hangs on to pip Rossi to victory in Spain

Australian rider Casey Stoner won the Catalunyan MotoGP yesterday to record his fourth victory in seven races this season.

The Ducati rider beat home Italian star Valentino Rossi while Spaniard Dani Pedrosa was third.

"There was a lot of overtaking going on out there," Stoner said.

"It was a thinking race and one had to plan what to do next as Valentino was passing me all the time. It was really really hard," he said.

Stoner and Rossi fought out an enthralling battle during the last half of the race with the lead swapping hands several times.

However Stoner emerged the leader entering the final lap and held his nerve to hold off Rossi to take the chequered flag while Pedrosa was a close third -- reigning champion Nicky Hayden's disappointing defense of his title continued as he could only finish 11th.

Stoner's victory sees him hold a 14 point lead over Rossi -- 140 to 126 points -- with Pedrosa third on 98.

Despite the thrilling nature of the race, Stoner wasn't convinced it was his finest win of the campaign.

"I think Turkey stands out, though, this comes a close second," he said.

"Valentino has won here so often so it was quite something to beat him today," Stoner said.

The next round of the championship is the British Grand Prix at Donington Park on June 24.
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