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NEWS
Stoner to race at the Island
Finally, confirmation that will leave plenty of people breathing a sigh of relief: the Phillip Island specialist is definitely coming homeWith just 24 days to go until the 2012 AirAsia Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, fans heading to the event have received the best possible news: Casey Stoner will be back to chase his sixth successive Phillip Island victory.
Stoner has missed the last three rounds of the world championship after surgery for ankle injuries sustained in qualifying for the Indianapolis round but will be back in the saddle of his Honda RC213V at the next race in Japan on October 14.
"I've been resting, having some physio and following doctor's orders to recover," Stoner said.
"The good news is that I feel I can race in Motegi and will be rejoining my team next week and I can't wait to get back on track."
While Stoner’s enforced absence means he cannot retain his world title, he will be aiming to win his home event for a sixth straight year after four wins for Ducati and his Honda success in 2011.
One man delighted to see the champion return is Mick Doohan, the five-time 500cc world champion who also won on a Honda at Phillip Island in 1998 and whose glittering career was ended prematurely by injury.
“It’s great news,” said Doohan, “because it means Casey will have the two rounds in Japan and Malaysia to get his race face on again before he heads down to Phillip Island.
“It would have been a big ask to get back on the bike for the first time and win down there, but let’s hope he comes through the next couple of weeks unscathed and ready to lay on another great show for his home crowd.”
Stoner acknowledges his right ankle may never be as good as it was but the man who turns 27 on October 16 was never going to let that stop him.
"I've still got a season to finish, I've still got a job to do and a career to see through," insists Stoner, who has won 44 Grands Prix, 37 of them in the premier MotoGP class.
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Written byBikesales Staff
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