Stoner looking to back up Estoril showing with Island success
Added on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Stoner looking to back up Estoril showing with Island success
Casey Stoner believes that he is more than capable of backing up a stand-out performance at Estoril a fortnight ago as he looks to make it a hat-trick of wins at Phillip Island.
Stoner returned to action at Estoril after ten weeks away due to illness and stunned the paddock with a second place finish, despite having no physical training prior to his return to action and losing a considerable amount of body weight during the break.
The result was almost the perfect riposte for the Aussie against his critics, who had questioned his ability to physically last the 28 laps as well as his mental condition, with many suggesting that Stoner had lost motivation for racing.
But the 2007 champion is very much focused on the remainder of the season and is looking to secure a third win on the bounce at his home race at Phillip Island.
“I’m looking forward to Phillip Island,” said Stoner. “In Portugal I was able to get to the end of the race weekend without problems, just the predictable tiredness after a full MotoGP race, following two months of inactivity. So maybe I’ll be a bit more ready for Phillip Island now. Besides that the temperature down there is a bit colder than other races we go to and that suits better my physical conditions at the moment.
“The track is awesome – it’s fast, flowing and there isn’t really a section that the riders don’t enjoy. Normally races are fantastic there. I’ve had a dream run over the last couple of years but this one is going to be a little different so we have just to wait and see what we can do.”
