Stoner glad to be back in MotoGP paddock

The 2007 MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner was back where he belongs on Thursday at Estoril, facing the press alongside Ducati management figures Livio Suppo and Filippo Preziosi - ahead of the bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal.

Stoner has missed the last three races in Brno, Indianapolis and Misano as he remained in his native Australia for several weeks in order to fully recover from the fatigue and stomach problems which had hindered him since the Barcelona race in June.

Explaining his experiences, Stoner commented, “For me it was a very difficult decision to take, but we were struggling in the last few races I rode. After Donington I went back to Australia to see some more doctors, to understand what was going on and to try and go in the right direction. We were planning to come back at Brno but unfortunately we had not found a solution in that short time and I just had recommendations from my father, my wife and from the doctors saying ‘that’s enough, you have got to have some time out,’ and that is when the decision was made to spend three races away.”

“It has been very difficult. During this period we did everything we could, seeing the right doctors, being on the right diet, to try and increase levels which blood tests showed I was low on. So now we have to see what I can do this weekend and how I can perform.”

The ever-humble Aussie added in his usual understated manner, “I have apologised to my team for every race I have missed and also every race, before the break, since Catalunya, in which I knew I could not be fully competitive. Myself, all the team, all the mechanics, everyone was putting in 100% effort but we could not make it in the final stages of races. Hopefully now we can be competitive again, because I have been away from my bike for too long and I have missed it.”