Australian world champion Casey Stoner won the Portuguese MotoGP in Estoril yesterday for his second successive victory this season, giving him a one-point lead in the title race.

The 26-year-old Honda rider – whose win in Portugal was his first in the race and means he has won every single Grand Prix – beat Spain’s 2010 world champion Jorge Lorenzo on a Yamaha.

Stoner’s team-mate Dani Pedrosa became only the seventh rider to celebrate 100 podium finishes as he came third.

Stoner, who has been affected by arm pump where the nerves get trapped and numb the hand, said it had been a tough battle.

“There was a bit of pressure throughout the race,” said Stoner, who the week before won his first Spanish MotoGP.

“I wasn’t feeling good or comfortable and I had a bit of arm pump.

“I was lucky to hold on and win.”

Lorenzo, winner twice in Estoril, said he had never felt as if he was going to win.

“To be honest I only ever expected to be at best second,” said Lorenzo. “We had a lot of problems in practice and we were losing time every lap in the straight. Stoner was very strong.”

In the Moto2 category, Spain’s Marc Marquez clinched his 19th career win and second of the season.

The 19-year-old Suter rider won the third race of the championship ahead of another Spaniard Pol Espargero on a Kalex. Swiss Thomas Luthi was third on another Suter.

German rider Sandro Cortese, riding a KTM,won the Moto3 GP. Spanish duo Maverick Vinales and Luis Salom finished second and third on a FTR Honda and KTM respectively.

Standings
1. Stoner (Honda) 66 points; 2. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 65; 3. Pedrosa (Honda) 52; 4. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 37; 5. Dovizioso (Yamaha) 35; 6. Bautista (Honda) 29; 7. Bradl (Honda) 24; 8. Hayden (Ducati) 23; 9. Rossi (Ducati) 22; 10. Barbera (Ducati) 19.