Casey Stoner claimed his third successive win at the Australian Grand Prix on a day when Valentino Rossi moved a step closer to retaining his FIM MotoGP World Championship title.

Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi finished second behind Stoner but more importantly saw his team-mate and nearest title rival Jorge Lorenzo fail to make it beyond the first corner after the Spaniard tangled with Nicky Hayden.

Ducati rider Stoner looked comfortable at the front as he led home Rossi by two seconds to claim a hat-trick of triumphs at his home event and his first win since returning from the illness which sidelined him for three races earlier this season.

Rossi's near-perfect day saw him move onto 270 points, a lead of 38 over Lorenzo with two races remaining.