Stoner plans to spoil Rossi ‘homecoming’
Added on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Stoner confident ahead of San Marino Grand Prix.
Casey Stoner hopes to disappoint the home support at Misano this weekend and close the gap on Valentino Rossi at the top of the Championship.
Rossi is guaranteed of a hero’s reception at the circuit he considers to be his second home having established a 50-point lead at ahead of Stoner in the rider’s championship - helped in no small part by the Australian’s fall at Brno two weeks ago.
But the Stoner is not prepared to give up his title easily and has vowed to keep fighting with the Italian, right up to the season finale in Valencia on October 26.
“We had a great result at Misano last year and that, added to the fact that we’re in good shape with the set-up and the tyres, means we can be reasonably confident of another good result here,” said Stoner ahead of this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix.
“After the last few races and in the recent test at Brno we’ve managed to improve the set-up even more so we’re confident of putting on a good show for the home fans at Misano.
“It is quite a tight and twisty track and the surface is quite bumpy but there are some really fun sections. We’ll see what happens but we’re in good shape - the gap in the championship is big but we’ll keep fighting until it’s over.”
Team manager Livio Suppo also backed his number one rider, claiming that it is only a matter of time before Stoner turns his improved form into victories.
“Over the past five rounds Casey has shown incredible speed from the opening practice session at a variety of circuits and even though he hasn’t got the points to show for it, he’s in outstanding form and we’re sure he’ll also be on the pace at Misano,” said Suppo.
