Ducati successfully employed a similar strategy for the 2007 season when they signed 21-year-old Casey Stoner of Australia. After a string of victories and podiums the highly consistent Stoner earned Ducati and Bridgestone their first World Championship title at the Motegi round of the 2007 calendar.

The 2006 championship was the first in 14 years to be decided at the final race. Valentino Rossi started the race with a twelve-point lead. Hayden finished third with Rossi finishing 13th after crashing on lap five, giving Nicky Hayden his maiden MotoGP World Championship title.