Stoner eyes record in Malaysia

Friday, 21 October 2011 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Jorge Lorenzo’s finger injury has forced him out of this weekend’s Malaysian GP, handing a chance to test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga.

Lorenzo - the 2010 champion - pulled out of Sunday’s Australian GP at Phillip Island after he came off his Yamaha on turn 12 of his warm up.

His withdrawal from the race was followed this week by surgery, with 30-year-old Japanese rider Nakasuga to take his place in Sepang.

It will be Nakasuga’s debut in the premier series but he is well known in Japan, where he sits third in the All Japan Road Racing championship.

New MotoGP champion Casey Stoner, who clinched the title on with victory at home circuit Phillip Island on Sunday, will be searching to equal his own 2007 record of 10 victories in one season.

Stoner is on a high after his title success, having won nine times this year and reached the podium at every race bar one.

But he said he was disappointed second-placed Lorenzo would not be there to face him in Sepang.

“After clinching the title in the last race at Phillip Island, we go to Malaysia with a lot less pressure and we can just look forward to the race. It’s disappointing to hear that Jorge (will not) be there. We had hoped that his recovery from the operation would mean he could race there but we’ll miss him there again,” he said.

The track - located outside Kuala Lumpur - is known both for being one of the widest on the calendar and for its extreme heat and humidity, but Stoner had no concerns with his preparations.

“After pre-season testing in Sepang we proved to be competitive, so we will arrive there positive and look to enjoy the weekend. We’re also testing the 1000cc bike on Monday after the race. With the Championship now wrapped up, we can concentrate on the development of next year’s machine, so I’m also looking forward to that,” he said.

Third-placed Andrea Dovizioso could take advantage of Lorenzo’s absence, with the Italian needing two wins from the last two races to move up to second in the standings.

He revealed the Sepang track was one of his dearest.

“Malaysia is one of my favourite tracks, so I really want to get there and push 100 percent to try to win this race. We arrive very motivated after the race we had in Australia, a circuit which has always been difficult for me,” he said.

“The last two races are very important; I will fight to retain third position in the championship even though I know Dani (Pedrosa) and some other riders will be also hard to beat.”