1 Oct 2008

Rossi secures sixth world title

7:07 am on 1 October 2008

The Italian motor cycling ace Valentino Rossi has won his sixth world premier class title, edging out the defending champion Casey Stoner in the Japanese Grand Prix to make it eight MotoGP titles this year.

Rossi needed to finish third only third in Japan to win the title, but the Italian took the chequered flag to extend his lead to an unbeatable 92 points over Stoner with three races left in the season.

It was the fifth straight GP win for Rossi - nicknamed the Doctor for his meticulous planning and racing - and his first MotoGP title in three years.