By Brian Bielanski
(RacingWire) – Casey Stoner dominated the first 17 laps of the MotoGp Italian Grand Prix but he didn't have enough tires to hold off a charging Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo, the Yamaha factory driver, passed Stoner with six laps to and went on to win at Mugello.

Stoner took the lead going into the first turn and it looked like he was going to drive away to a flag-to-flag win. Then, with about 12 laps to go Lorenzo started cutting into the Australian Repsol Honda rider's lead finally overtaking Stoner with six to go.

Stoner's tires had gone off so far that his Repsol Honda teammate Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) was able to sneak past going into turn one on the last lap to take second place.

It was a perfect day for racing at Mugello, a welcome reprieve from several wet races. The warm sunny weather proved to be Stoner's nemesis. His tire struggles were so obvious you could see his rear wheel step out several times during the last few laps.

American Ben Spies, fresh off his first MotoGP win at Assen, started the race second and was fourth at the end of lap one. Spies traded fourth and fifth all race with San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli (ITA) finally taking fourth place on the last lap.

It was the Yamaha factory riders second MotoGP win of the 2011 season.

Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati, Hector Barbera (SPA) Mapfre Aspar, Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda, Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha, and Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati; rounded out the top ten.