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MotoGP
MOTOGP: Stoner Racing Against Time
Casey Stoner is hoping to fight for victory one last time but he is running short on time and opportunities with his mending ankle still impeding his efforts.
Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner (Photo: HRC)
Before he calls it quits Casey Stoner just wants to be competitive once more. But time and medical science are working against him as he counts down to retirement in November.
He has just three races remaining including Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix in the tropical heat and humidity that envelopes the Sepang Circuit.
Next week is his farewell home race at Phillip Island in Australia, then the final curtain at Valencia next month.
But nine weeks after he smashed his ankle at Indianapolis, the debilitating effects of a long layoff and lack of training and riding are coming into play.
His still weak right ankle, which lacks flexibility and strength following ligament surgery, is only part of the problem, as he found out when he finished fifth in his comeback race in Japan last Sunday.
"I was worn out in Japan," Stoner said. "This was tough to live with, I thought my leg was going to hamper my speed more, which it did, but I found a way to ride it."
"But my body couldn't handle it.
"I am hoping that at one of these next three weekends I can be competitive, at least once."
For Stoner that means racing for the podium, or, ideally, adding to his current score of 37 MotoGP victories.
If that was to come at Phillip Island it would his sixth consecutive victory in the Australian GP but he knows it is unwise to make predictions in his current condition.
"I had the speed in Japan, my bike had the speed on race day to race for the podium, but I didn't -- not for long enough," he said. "I didn't have enough power to fight and was also a lot more cautious to be honest than I normally would be.
"It should be little easier on the ankle here at Sepang; there are not as many tight corners to pick up the bike. Most of the tight corners here are left-handers so I should be better."
He has just three races remaining including Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix in the tropical heat and humidity that envelopes the Sepang Circuit.
Next week is his farewell home race at Phillip Island in Australia, then the final curtain at Valencia next month.
But nine weeks after he smashed his ankle at Indianapolis, the debilitating effects of a long layoff and lack of training and riding are coming into play.
His still weak right ankle, which lacks flexibility and strength following ligament surgery, is only part of the problem, as he found out when he finished fifth in his comeback race in Japan last Sunday.
"I was worn out in Japan," Stoner said. "This was tough to live with, I thought my leg was going to hamper my speed more, which it did, but I found a way to ride it."
"But my body couldn't handle it.
"I am hoping that at one of these next three weekends I can be competitive, at least once."
For Stoner that means racing for the podium, or, ideally, adding to his current score of 37 MotoGP victories.
If that was to come at Phillip Island it would his sixth consecutive victory in the Australian GP but he knows it is unwise to make predictions in his current condition.
"I had the speed in Japan, my bike had the speed on race day to race for the podium, but I didn't -- not for long enough," he said. "I didn't have enough power to fight and was also a lot more cautious to be honest than I normally would be.
"It should be little easier on the ankle here at Sepang; there are not as many tight corners to pick up the bike. Most of the tight corners here are left-handers so I should be better."
Grand Prix of The France
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