Stoner bids farewell to Ducati

AS WE SAY goodbye to another season of MotoGP racing, former World Champion Casey stoner prepares to make his final appearance for Marlboro Ducati at this coming weekend's Grand Prix of Valencia.

The Australian, who won the title in 2007, the inaugural season for 800cc machines, leaves the squad after four years, 23 victories, 41 podiums and 20 pole positions.
 
Stoner joins the Repsol Honda team next season, partnering Dani Pedrosa in the full-factory squad.

“After the awful weather we had to put up with in Portugal I hope that Valencia is a bit better and we get chance to work well and get a good set-up for my final race on the Ducati," said Stoner.

"I have always liked the circuit and I had my first ever win here in 125cc. It is a tight but flowing circuit and even though there are a lot of second and third gear corners they are quite long and you can let the bike run, keeping some good speed up. This also helps you to find a gearbox setting quite quickly because apart from the straight, obviously, you only really need two gears. In the past we have always been able to find a good set-up so I we are confident. I really want to have a good race this weekend.”

Stoner exited last year's Valencia race on the warm-up lap, when a glitch in the bike's traction control system, along with a cold race tyre, led to the Australian being flung from his machine at the second corner.