Describing his Ducati as "perfect", world MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has declared his title bid back on track after victory in the British Grand Prix.
Stoner took his second victory of the season and the 40th podium of his career with a dominant display at Donington Park.
The win boosted him to third in the championship, behind leader Valentino Rossi and Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.
Stoner, who started on pole for only the second time this season, crossed the line 5.789 seconds ahead of Rossi while Pedrosa climbed from ninth on the grid to finish third on his Honda.
Stoner never looked in danger of surrendering his advantage and took his first victory since the season opener in Qatar.
The Australian predicted he would now be in a position to vie with Rossi and Pedrosa for the crown.
"This has been a great weekend for us and it's brilliant to know that we're in a position to fight that little bit harder," Stoner said.
"The last three races have gone quite well for us in general but we've taken a big step forward with the new electronic system, which worked so well at the Catalunya test and then here.
"After a disappointing start to the season since the opening round at Qatar it's nice to feel as though we're back on track and this weekend went well from the start.
"We kicked off in free practice with some good lap times and it's just got better and better since then, in wet and dry conditions," he said.
"Today the bike was perfect, even at the end of the race we had really good traction and I want to thank all my team for the hard work they are doing.
"Now we just hope that this new electronic system will work as well at the rest of the tracks as it has done at Catalunya and Donington Park."
Rossi, celebrating his 200th grand prix with a 142nd podium finish, said he was happy with the outcome.
"I tried to stay with Casey, but in some corners he was faster than me and it was impossible to keep up with his pace as the race went on," Rossi said.
"I knew that second place was important because of the points so I had to win my fight with Pedrosa in the middle of the race."
In contrast, Stoner's teammate Marco Melandri, continues to struggle with his Ducati and the team has closed ranks around him.
Melandri is 13th on the points table on the same machine Stoner rides.
Ducati boss Livio Suppo said he was "really disappointed" for Melandri after another dismal run.
"We realise this is a very difficult time for him," Suppo said.
"I think we have to stay close to him and try to help him in any way we can, so that he can find more faith in the package he has."
