The 2007 world champion, who was forced to concede his title to Valentino Rossi this year, is riding under extreme duress and was close to retiring during last weekend’s energy-sapping Malaysian Grand Prix.
Stoner’s current plan is to line up in the season-ending GP in Valencia on Sunday but there are now doubts he will be fit enough to complete the race.
Stoner blamed his left wrist injury, which will require surgery shortly, for his distant sixth place at Sepang.
He also had to deal with searing heat and mechanical set-up issues with his Ducati.
Despite his problems, Stoner said the only reason he wasn’t on the podium was he was riding virtually one-handed.
“It was just physical today. There’s no pain in my left wrist, but there’s no power in my left arm.”
“It’s been very difficult and the fact that my right arm seems to be doing all the work, its just I had nothing left.”
“I had no energy left and I got tired very quickly in that race.”
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