Stoner wants to keep testing
Ex-world champ on track for testing duties
Casey Stoner has confirmed that recovery from left shoulder surgery is not the deciding factor in his role as Ducati’s test rider, despite the factory saying they’re reviewing his duties. Stoner’s recovery is on target within the six months stated by doctors following surgery in February. Stoner said: “My shoulder is not a hindrance to testing with Ducati, the timeframe is as predicted and I’m back riding motocross and in training.” He added: “The recovery is consistent with what I had planned with Ducati this year after the first test at Sepang in February. I did the surgery to be able to continue as a test rider.” It was thought his second test session for 2018 would be in October at Valencia in Spain. Stoner remains Ducati’s only MotoGP world champion and he re-joined the team in 2016 after a stint with Honda to focus on helping Ducati win another title. The Italian team have been unable to repeat the world championship delivered by Stoner in 2007.
“I came back to Ducati to work hard and help win another championship, I didn’t return to just be a poster boy for the company,” said Stoner. “Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to celebrate another title win for Ducati. But I feel like I can’t give Ducati any more than what they have, as they don’t appear to be using the data and feedback I’m giving them. I’ve been suggesting changes for some time that they seem reluctant to follow.
“If they are not going to use my data and feedback it doesn’t make me feel like risking myself in testing, and you need to be close to the limit to get results.” Almost three years on from Stoner’s return, Ducati technical director Gigi Dall’Igna confirmed at the Czech GP that mid-corner turning remained the main weakness of the Desmosedici. After his first test with Ducati in January 2016 Stoner revealed to MCN this turning issue desperately needed to be fixed. On numerous occasions Ducati factory rider Andrea Dovizioso has repeated the same handling issue as Stoner.
Since Ducati entered MotoGP in 2003 Stoner’s race-winning record remains unchallenged. Over 15 seasons five other factory riders have so far amassed 21 wins for Ducati. Stoner took four years to compile his 23 victories.
‘I came back to Ducati to help win another championship’