( CNN ) -- Defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo of Spain claimed victory in Sunday 's Italian MotoGP at Mugello to close the gap on Casey Stoner in the overall title standings . Australian Stoner began the race in pole position and led for the opening 17 of the 23-lap race . But Lorenzo took the lead with a superb overtaking move on a steep , downhill chicane and steadily pulled away for an impressive victory , with Stoner having to contend with finishing in third position after also being overtaken by Honda teammate Andrea Dovizioso on the final lap . American Ben Spies , the winner in Assen last weekend , finished fourth with Marco Simoncelli fifith and Italian legend Valentino Rossi -- racing in front of his home fans for the first time since joining Ducati -- finishing sixth . Talking to BBC TV , Lorenzo said : `` '' I 'm so happy with the win . Casey was so quick but little by little , lap by lap I managed to catch him . `` I finally saw the opportunity to overtake Casey on the downhill section and was able to take it , '' he added . Stoner blamed a problem with his tires for the defeat , adding : `` I did everything I could but the tire pressure went up too high and I lost all grip in the rear . `` I tried to keep a consistent pace but I was just too slow at the end , '' Stoner continued . The result leaves 2007 world champion Stoner with a 19-point advantage in the current championship standings . Stoner lies on 152 points after eight of the 18 races , with Yamaha rider Lorenzo lying second on 133 points . Dovizioso ( 119 ) and Rossi ( 91 ) lie third and fourth in the standings with Nicky Hayden ( 77 points ) rounding out the top five . `
Jorge Lorenzo claims victory in Sunday 's Italian MotoGP at Mugello . The Spanish world champion beats Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner . Stoner maintains his world title advantage by 19 points from Lorenzo .