It has been officially confirmed that Casey Stoner will miss the next three rounds of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship, ending his title chances.
Ducati’s 2007 world champion, who took two wins and four podiums from the first five rounds of this season, has been suffering from a mysterious energy-sapping illness in the five rounds since.
Stoner was sick and visibly exhausted after finishing third at Barcelona on June 14 - then struggled with ‘severe fatigue’ at Assen (third) and Laguna Seca (fourth), prompting extensive medical checks after the US GP. Yahoo! Eurosport
Stoner has struggled since the Catalunya GP with chronic fatigue but the precise cause of his physical problems remained a mystery after he underwent extensive tests in California immediately after the American GP at Laguna Seca in July.
Details of further medical tests Stoner underwent during the summer break in Australia have not yet been released.
His shock withdrawal kills off his world title aspirations and leaves what was a thrilling world championship fight now effectively a two-horse race between Fiat Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Motorcycle News
“I’m very disappointed to be missing these races especially as the Ducati has been capable of winning this season, but I need to fix this problem,” Stoner said.
“It seems I had a virus at the Barcelona race and then pushed my body too hard and now I need to continue with further tests and treatment to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“If it all goes to plan I am hoping to be at full strength for the race at Estoril.”
Stoner, 23, returned home two weeks ago for consultations with Neil Halpin, the sports physician who works with the NRL team Newcastle Knights, and other specialists. Melbourne Herald Sun
After Donington, Stoner flew home to Australia for further tests with his personal physician. It was after that visit that it was decided that he sit out the races in the Czech Republic, Indianapolis, and Misano, before returning for the Grand Prix of Portugal on the first weekend in October. Stoner will be replaced in Brno by Pramac Racing’s Mika Kallio, who will team with first year Ducati rider Nicky Hayden.
“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,” Stoner said. “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.”
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