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Casey Stoner crashes out of Indianapolis Grand Prix qualifying
MotoGP: Casey Stoner says his title hopes are over after injury
CZECH GRAND PRIX
- Venue: Automotodrom Brno
- Saturday 25 August: Qualifying on red button and online, 11:55 - 15:05 BST
- Sunday 26 August: Moto 2 and Moto 3 races on red button and online, 09:30 - 12:05 BST; MotoGP race live on BBC2 and online, 12:30 - 14:00 BST
Casey Stoner says his chances of retaining his MotoGP title are "finished" after breaking his ankle at Indianapolis last weekend.
Stoner, who will fly back to Australia for surgery and will miss Sunday's Czech Grand Prix, says he has "no idea" when he will return.
"Until we've had the surgery we won't know," said the 26-year-old Australian, who retires at the end of the season.
"It's disappointing news but it's finished our championship."
Analysis
"It is terrible news for the sport that injury has again robbed us of a fitting finale to a great man's career.
"Because allow me to be frank: Casey Stoner is the fastest man I've ever seen on two wheels."
Stoner currently lies in third place in the standings, 39 points behind leader Jorge Lorenzo with seven races remaining.
Stoner took fourth place in Indianapolis despite suffering torn ligaments, bone damage and fractures to his ankle in a crash in qualifying. But he has been advised by doctors to have the surgery to prevent permanent damage.
The Honda rider, who won the championship in 2007 and 2011, said: "The plan is to get back to Australia as we have to wait for the inflammation to go down before having surgery. We already have everything lined up to see what we can do and then try to get back.
"Normally my doctor doesn't have a problem with me riding with injury but as soon as he read the report he advised me against riding in Indianapolis. All the reports have been the same, that I need to get off this foot as soon as I can."
Stoner hopes he can return a race or two before his home GP at Phillip Island on 28 October.
MotoGP standings
- Jorge Lorenzo: 225 points
- Dani Pedrosa: 207 points
- Casey Stoner: 186 points
- Andrea Dovizioso: 137 points
- Cal Crutchlow: 106 points
"To have these kind of disappointments is frustrating, especially in my last year, but that's racing," he said.
"I'm not in this championship to finish on a fairytale. I'm not always going to keep waiting for a fairytale ending."
Title rival Jorge Lorenzo, who is favourite to regain the crown he won in 2010, said: "I wish Stoner a quick recovery.
"It won't be the same in the next races, and for sure it will be easier for Dani Pedrosa and I to win."
British rider Cal Crutchlow said on Twitter: "Sad to hear Casey Stoner cannot ride but after seeing his ankle yesterday I can't believe he rode in Indy!
"Hope he's back soon with the other guys too."
Nicky Hayden and Hector Barbera have also been ruled out of this weekend's Czech Grand Prix with injuries sustained at Indianapolis.
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Comment number 79.
pacman25th August 2012 - 21:35
Sure his injuries are bad luck, but it's almost sods law; you announce it's your last race or last year and it always goes wrong. It's ok he's calling it "a day". Family and the Simoncelli accident, mad him think there's more to life. Doesn't matter if he's moaning and whining all the time. He's won enough races to put two fingers up at MotoGP. By the way WSB and BSB are by far better racing.
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Comment number 78.
Rach198525th August 2012 - 15:27
@77 agree with that, and he has to think if he can get a few podiums this year and next and maybe a win his stock will rise. Then see how things go, because nicky isn't exactly secure at Ducati after next year, so maybe it will be a chance then. Or even a Yamaha ride in two years to take over from Rossi. But if he wants results tech 3 is better than Ducati right now
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Comment number 77.
Mikey201225th August 2012 - 15:15
I know Cal needs to earn some money but I think he may well look back at the Ducati saga and realise he had a lucky escape.
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Comment number 76.
Rach198525th August 2012 - 14:02
Jorge on pole! Now even with Dani for pole positions even though in Motogp for two less years. Cal 2nd tomorrow has to be a real opportunity to get that 1st podium. Hoping for a good race. Also glad that Cal has signed with tech3 as the Ducati still looks like a dog to ride and Dovi can have it.
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Comment number 75.
Mikey201225th August 2012 - 13:28
@73, His approach to interviews and general communication with the fans is awful. He may have been charming with you. A shame all he does in interview is complain about everything and make petty comments about his piers.
You're going to struggle to convince anyone differently because they keep hearing it from his own mouth.
Despite being such an unpleasant chap, he's an amazing rider!
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Comments 5 of 79