Casey Stoner out for three races

Casey returns to Australia for more tests

Casey Stoner will not take part in the next three Grands Prix, and will only return to action at the beginning of October for the Grand Prix of Portugal.

The Australian has suffered physical problems since the Catalunya GP, which have caused him severe fatigue during the last five races. Stoner took this difficult decision after having consulted with sports doctors who have looked after him for many years back home in Australia. At this challenging time, he has the full support of the team and the whole of Ducati who together with Stoner have enjoyed racing at the top of the sport for the last three seasons.

“After five extremely difficult races due to my health, I returned to Australia to visit the sports doctors who have looked after me for many years. We have taken the difficult decision not to contest the next three rounds of the championship, to allow my body time to recover from the recent stress. The doctors believe that during the Barcelona race I was suffering from a virus, and, that I subsequently pushed my body too hard, leading to problems that have caused my fatigue since then. The doctors are continuing with many tests to try to understand these problems and make sure it does not happen again. I have spoken with Ducati and thank them for their understanding at this time. I feel very sorry for the factory, my team, my sponsors and the fans and I am also disappointed because the bike in the last races has been very competitive. I will be doing everything possible to come back at full strength for Portugal.”

Livio Suppo

“It’s obviously difficult for us to contemplate the next three races without Casey, but it’s clear that the most important thing at this time is his health. Since his debut with us in Qatar in 2007, Casey has won 18 times as well as taking countless podium finishes, becoming one of the top riders in the World Championship in the process. We have already overcome tough times together, like when he had to undergo surgery on his scaphoid towards the end of last season. We are united whether in times of success or in times of difficulty. We are confident that the doctors will help solve the issues that have affected him since early June and that Casey will be able to take part in the last races of the year in peak fitness. Then we can prepare for 2010 in the best way possible. A big thank you to Paolo Campinoti who as always has proved to be a great supporter and an ideal partner for Ducati, allowing Mika to ride with the Ducati Marlboro Team for the next three races. Mika is having a really positive debut year in MotoGP and we are delighted that he will be alongside Nicky in the official works team. In his place at Brno in the Pramac Team will be Michel Fabrizio, who I am certain will know how to give the right kind of performance on one of his preferred tracks.”

August 13, 2009 update by Livio Suppo

“Of course it has been a very difficult decision to take. When Casey got back to Australia he was getting very tired with 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.”

“I personally thought immediately, if Casey is not here then Mika is the right one to put in there, because he is already used to a bike that is very similar to ours and because he is doing pretty well. He has been unlucky but he has been fast, so I’m pretty sure that Mika and Nicky (Hayden) will do a good job in these next three races.”

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