MotoGP news

Stoner confident despite aggrevating injury

Casey Stoner , the only rider to breach the 1'35 barrier, topped the time sheets in both of the opening free practice sessions for the San Marino GP, lapping just outside the previous circuit record despite the track being slightly lengthened at the Variante del Parco corner and a bizarre hand injury.

The Australian went to visit Doctor Costa at the Clinica Mobile at the end of the afternoon session, with x-rays showing that the scaphiod break he suffered in 2003 appears to have re-opened. The injury will make it extremely painful and awkward for Stoner to ride tomorrow, although the Australian will undergo physio and wear a special support in order to give it his best shot.

"The scaphoid is a really strange one because there has been no impact on it," Stoner said. "I was just adjusting my back protector before going out for one of my runs this afternoon and I felt some pain. It got worse as the session went on so we decided to check it out with the Clinica Mobile and I couldn't believe it when they showed me the x-ray - it seems the bone I broke in 2003 has re-opened. It's not going to be easy and I'll have to take care not to cause any further damage but my plan is to compete tomorrow. It's a shame because other than that everything else went really well today. It's nice to get off to a good start at this circuit, we went well here last year and the bike and tyres seem to be working well already. I'm not a big fan of the changes to the track. Last year turn two and turn three were a lot of fun but this year it's too tight. You can't flow so well, the grip isn't so good it's a bit of a shame. Even so there are some points of the track that are still a lot of fun and in general I enjoy riding here. Hopefully we can continue like this tomorrow."

more news

• 21 Nov.
  • "Valentino would have been an excellent F1 driver"
• 20 Nov.
  • Rossi doing well at Mugello in F2008
• 04 Nov.
  • FIAT extends Yamaha sponsorship
• 28 Oct.
  • Hayden debuts at Ducati
  • Dovizioso enjoys first day at Repsol Honda
• 27 Oct.
  • Photos: Monday in Valencia
  • Stoner fastest on first day of testing
• 26 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday in Valencia
  • Stoner storms to Spanish win
• 25 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday in Valencia
  • Stoner steals Valencia pole
  • Hayden stays top in final practice
• 24 Oct.
  • Hayden happy with perfect start
  • Rossi looks for improvement
  • Photos: Friday in Valencia
  • Hayden finished Friday on top
  • Hayden fastest in first practice
  • Gibernau confirmed for 2009
• 23 Oct.
  • West hopes to return to MotoGP one day
• 19 Oct.
  • Stoner steals runner-up spot
  • Rossi celebrates ninth win
  • Photos: Sunday at Sepang
  • Rossi storms to victory
• 18 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Sepang
  • Pedrosa steals last gasp pole
  • West fastest in final practice
• 17 Oct.
  • Photos: Friday at Sepang
  • Rossi looking strong at Sepang
  • Stoner looking for more from tyres
  • Edwards fastest in second practice
  • Yamaha leads first practice in Malaysia
• 13 Oct.
  • Guintoli joins British Superbikes
• 05 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner dominates home Grand Prix
• 04 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner on pole at home Grand Prix
• 03 Oct.
  • Photos: Friday at Phillip Island
• 02 Oct.
  • Elias to replace Nakano at Gresini
• 28 Sep.
  • Photos: Sunday in Motegi
  • Lorenzo misses out on podium

Homepage