Casey Stoner rode flawlessly in the rain to blow the MotoGP championship wide open with victory in Germany.

Valentino Rossi came in second and took over the championship lead from Dani Pedrosa, who crashed out on lap four when his Honda slid under braking.

Pedrosa had built up a seven-and-a-half second lead at that point but paid for pushing the pace too much in the wet.

And Stoner took advantage to move within four points of Pedrosa, while Rossi has opened up a 16-point lead.

Reigning champion Stoner has now won the last three races and is making a rapid surge up the championship table.