Third in the championship, Stoner’s shot at his second title has ended due to a mysterious illness that will keep him out of next three races
Ron Lieback
AllAboutBikes.com Content Editor/Staff Writer
Due to a mysterious illness, Australian Casey Stoner will miss out on the next three rounds of racing, ending his chance at the MotoGP Championship title. The Ducati 2007 world champion will miss this Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix in Brno, and the following rounds at Indianapolis and San Marino.
Stoner, who took two wins and four podiums during the first five rounds of the ’09 season, is expected to return for the Portuguese GP in Estoril in early October, the round preceding his home event at the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. He is currently in third place in the championship, behind points leader Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.
Stoner’s been battling with an energy-stealing virus since the June Barcelona Moto GP in Catalunya, where he finished third despite severe stomach cramps and vomiting inside his helmet. The 23 year old also suffered from severe fatigue at Assen (finishing third) and Laguna Seca (fourth); these complications caused for some medical checks, and initial results were “slight gastritis and mild anaemia”. Epstein Barr Virus, a form of chronic fatigue syndrome, was also suggested, but never proven.
Ducati team director Livio Suppo said the rest will give Stoner a chance at rehabilitation.
“He isn't well and the best thing for him is to stop, mainly to prevent the problem getting any worse,” Suppo told Spanish state television. “It has been a very difficult decision that we took with the whole team. We are very disappointed, but it is the best for him.”
Suppo said Finnish rider Mika Kallio from the Pramac Racing team will be Stoner’s temporary replacement on the Ducati team alongside American rider Nicky Hayden, the 2006 world champion.
But for this weekend at Brno, World Superbike rider Michel Fabrizio will substitute for Kallio. Fabrizio is no stranger to MotoGP; the 24 year old rode for the WCM Aprilia Team in 2004, once for Gresini Honda in 2007 and another in 2004 at Donington, where he became injured in a practice session, missing the actual race. In the World Superbike championship, Fabrizio is third behind leader Noriyuki Haga and Ben Spies.
