(Guclu @ Sep. 17 2006,01:37) Melandri is the WINNER !
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Twenty six laps of action saw the first appearance of the new white flag wet weather rule , a Phillip Island finally seeing some of the predicted rainfall at the start of the MotoGP race . After a delayed start , Shinya Nakano stormed out of the blocks and commanded an early lead . Nicky Hayden dropped down to sixteenth after an atrocious start , although the World Championship leader would have a second chance to redeem himself .
Colin Edwards and Sete Gibernau could only watch as the Kawasaki rider put space between himself and the other riders . However , the Japanese rider was the last to come in upon the waving of a white flag , after the rest of the field had made their permitted change of bikes , and would come out with his advantage thrown out of the window .
After the restart , the race was turned completely on its head. Gibernau , Chris Vermeulen Carlos Checa and Nicky Hayden were the early beneficiaries , but a later gamble by Checa proved not to be so opportune as he crashed out after a second change . There was delight for Vermeulen at his home Grand Prix , as he took both his and Rizla Suzuki's first MotoGP podium with an awe-inspiring ride . Having seen mechanical problems rob the Australian of a rostrum place in America , there were plenty of anxious faces in the Suzuki garage as the last laps came round with Sete Gibernau hot on Vermeulen's heels
However , fans weren't to be denied a home rider on the podium as he guided his GSV- R home . The title fight between Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi saw the Italian gain another 5 points on his rival
when he made a last-gasp move on Gibernau to take third from his old adversary .
Official Race Results ,
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