A BIRD-BRAINED seagull almost put paid to Alvaro Bautista’s glory chances in the 250cc race at the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.

Spaniard Alvaro hit the feathered friend but recovered and went on to finish second, behind Italy’s Marco Simoncelli.

Casey Stoner eased the disappointment of relinquishing his world title to arch-rival Valentino Rossi by winning the main race.

The Aussie dominated from start to finish to bring his Ducati Marlboro home comfortably ahead of Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha and Nicky Hayden, who finished third for Repsol Honda.