The defending champion looked to have second place wrapped up and was pushing for the lead when he slid off the track with only a handful of corners to go.
Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory) came through to take second instead and establish a 14-point lead at the top of the standings, with Andrea Dovizioso (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completing the podium. Stoner dropped 20 points off the pace in the championship, with Pedrosa moving ahead of him into second spot.