Stoner, who was the 2007 MotoGP World Champion and also 2008 Young Australian of the Year, was raised in the Niangala area where parents Bronwyn and Colin have a cattle property.

After a season marred by illness, he was the hot favourite coming into last Sunday's race after qualifying fastest ahead of series leader, Valentino Rossi.

In what was a spectacular start to the main race, Rossi's teammate Jorge Lorenzo clipped the back of Nicky Hayden's bike and careered out of control at the first turn, ending up in the gravel trap and unable to continue the race.

Hayden remained on two wheels, however, by the time he re-entered the track he was last and in no position to make any ground. Stoner and Rossi were soon out in front with Dani Pedrosa (Honda) at one point more than 20 seconds behind the leaders in third place.

In the dying laps, it appeared that Rossi made a move to pass Stoner, but with the Championship firmly in his mind and Stoner back on form, he remained in second at the chequered flag.