Casey Stoner survived some "heart in the mouth" moments before claiming his second MotoGP world championship yestrrday at Phillip Island.
Stoner was unchallenged as he breezed home to win his fifth straight Australian Grand Prix on his 26th birthday.
But the Honda rider missed out on the competitive edge he thrives on when his only title rival, Jorge Lorenzo, withdrew through injury.
Lorenzo lost part of the ring finger on his left hand and was rushed to hospital in Melbourne for plastic surgery.