Australia’s Casey Stoner needs to conquer one of his least favourite circuits if he is to prevent Valentino Rossi from storming to a 99th career world championship win.
The Ducati ace, 11 points behind the eight-time world champion after three races this season, has endured a stormy relationship with the famous French track where he was only 16th last season.
“It is going to be a long, open season,” said the Australian.
“We’ve seen that with three winners and three championship leaders from the first three races and the fact that there are four of us within just a few points at the top.”
Rossi, who won here in 2008, agreed with his Australian rival that this season’s championship could go to the wire.
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