MotoGP news

Doctors still studying Stoner condition

Doctors continue to examine Casey Stoner with the goal of discovering specifically what is affecting the 2007 World Champion with regards to the illness which has seen the Ducati rider pull out of at least the next three races of the championship. Ducati Marlboro team boss Livio Suppo describes the consequences of the situation for the team.

With Stoner having suffered with the previously mystery illness for over two months now, the case has already been described as slight gastritis and mild anaemia, leaving the unfortunate 23-year-old with levels of physical strength closer to those of a middle-aged man.

With a 3-race absence, Stoner's championship charge for 2009 is as good as over

"Of course it has been a very difficult decision to take," Suppo told the official MotoGP website as Stoner misses the Czech, Indianapolis and San Marino Grands Prix after a decision made during the three-week summer break. "When Casey got back to Australia he was getting very tired from whatever he did, even riding a horse or anything like that, so the Australian doctors suggested stopping because if he can't do anything it means there is definitely something wrong.

"Unfortunately, we still have to understand exactly what it is - it is not the first time and it won't be the last time that it takes a while to understand why somebody is sick. Casey is a sportsman, leading the Ducati factory team and fighting for the World Championship, so it makes it more difficult for him; we believe and the doctors believe that these two months will be enough to understand the problem and for Casey's body to recover."

Stoner's replacement, Finn Mika Kallio, will ride as Ducati team-mate to Nicky Hayden for the first time on Friday afternoon when free practice commences at Brno.

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