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NEWS
Stoner launches into 2012
The reigning world champion and his new 1000cc bike have fronted the media in Malaysia ahead of the resumption in pre-season testingAustralia’s Casey Stoner has returned to the spotlight in Malaysia, refreshed and eager to start the new season which officially kicks off in Qatar from April 6-8.
Stoner was joined by teammate Dani Pedrosa, Shuhei Nakamoto (HRC Executive Vice President), Hideki Iwano (Director, Assistant to Team Principal), Shinichi Kokubu (Technical Director) and Livio Suppo (Communications and Marketing Director) at a press conference in Kula Lumpur, which was also the first opportunity for the media to see the new RC213V 1000cc machine which will be used in 2012.
“After such a strong season in 2011, we remain focused and don't expect to be in top form immediately,” said Stoner. “I am sure Honda has done a fantastic job with the new 1000cc machine over the winter break and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the bike and seeing what we can do, hoping to start strong again.
“We know there will be a lot of serious competition out there; Ducati has been putting a lot of effort in as has Yamaha, so it will be interesting to get out on track and see what everyone’s got. However, these are early days and I think we'll have to wait until the race in Qatar before we really know our competitors’ true pace and the package they have for 2012, but we’re ready for it.”
Click here to read a recent Stoner interview, where the two-time world MotoGP champion also touches on the impending arrival of his first child with wife Adriana.
The RC213V is an evolution of the last version of the 800cc RC212V which Stoner used to win last year’s world title.
“The machines we have brought here to Sepang are basically the same machines we tested in Valencia back in November with only a few differences,” said Nakamoto-san. “In fact, Casey and Dani will have one machine the same as Valencia, and the other one with a slightly different chassis, based on their own requests.
“This is the first time back to Sepang since we lost Marco Simoncelli last October, on Sunday we visited the scene of his accident and laid some flowers and said a final 'Ciao' to him. I believe by starting this season strong will be a fitting tribute to Marco.”
Testing will continue at Sepang until February 2, and other riders in attendance will include:
- Ben Spies, Jorge Lorenzo, as well as test riders Waturu Yoshikawa and Katsuyuki Nakasuga -- Yamaha
- Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden -- Ducati
- Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow -- Tech 3 Yamaha
- Karel Abraham -- Cardion AB Racing Team
- Alvaro Bautista – Gresini Honda
- Hector Barberá -- Pramac Racing Team
- Stefan Bradl -- LCR Honda
- Colin Edwards – Forward Racing Suter-BMW (CRT team)
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Written byBikesales Staff
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