Casey Stoner will miss this weekend’s Czech MotoGP in Brno after being advised to return to his homeland for surgery on the ankle he injured at Indianapolis.
The Repsol Honda rider suffered torn ligaments and fractures to his ankle, tibia and fibula in last weekend’s practice accident but nevertheless went on to compete in the race, finishing an impressive fourth.
However, Sunday’s race at the twisting Brno circuit has been deemed a step too far for the Australian, who trails Jorge Lorenzo by 39 points with seven rounds remaining.
“Casey Stoner will miss the Czech Republic Grand Prix as he has to head back to Australia to undergo treatment on his ankle injury sustained last weekend in Indianapolis,” a statement said.
“Stoner will leave Brno this evening for Australia after his doctors advised him to have surgery on his damaged ankle.'
Stoner had previously voiced his fear that the round at Brno would represent a stern test of his fitness.
“I’m not feeling too optimistic for Brno after a tough weekend in Indy,” he said earlier this week.
“In Brno there are many changes in direction so there will be a lot of weight on my ankle and it’s going to be very difficult.”
Meanwhile, championship leader Jorge Lorenzo is upbeat about his chances in Sunday’s race despite pressure from Pedrosa.
“After very little rest we are back in Europe at Brno, a track I really like and where I got victory in 2010 on my way to the title,”he said.
“Our tyre choice last year made it difficult to fight for the podium but I think this year with the 1000cc we can definitely fight at the front,” said the Spaniard, who leads after 11 races this season.
Former world champion Lorenzo’s lead over Honda rider Pedrosa shrank to 18 points last Sunday, and he will face tough competition from his compatriot on the 5.403km Brno circuit, about 180km southeast of the Czech capital Prague.
Pedrosa crashed out of last year’s race, but he said he was hungry now for a second victory on the “wide and very fast track, with high speed corners where it is important to have good grip”.
“Honda has been strong lately, so we hope to have a good performance in this race also.
“The set-up of the bike and electronics can be key, as well as the weather, which is always a little changeable in the Czech Republic.
“We need to keep focused and strong and with options for the victory every weekend,” he said.
Top positions
(after 11 rounds)
1. Lorenzo (ESP) 225 points, 2. Pedrosa (ESP) 207, 3. Stoner (AUS) 186, 4. Dovizioso (ITA) 137, 5. Crutchlow (GBR) 106; 6. Bradl (GER) 94; 7. Bautista (Spain) 92; 8. Rossi (ITA) 91; 9. Hayden (US) 84; 10. Spies (US) 66.