MotoGP: Traction control key to Casey Stoner's success

Struggling new factory Ducati rider Marco Melandri believes a huge part of Casey Stoner’s success is down to the Australian’s skill and confidence with the increased influence of rider aids in MotoGP.

Melandri, who has endured a torrid transition to the Ducati GP8 during winter testing, reckons it is in areas like traction control where reigning world champion Casey Stoner has got such a massive advantage.

Valentino Rossi recently described Stoner as the first of the ‘traction control generation’, with the Italian bemoaning the growing influence of electronics in the premier class.

Former world 250 champion Marco Melandri has seen first hand the devastating form Stoner can produce in winter testing and the Italian told MCN: “Casey uses a lot of traction control, and he is wonderful using it.

“I use very, very much less than him. Almost the next step down from the setting I use is zero and I am not able to use the potential of the system.

“It’s hard to use the throttle on the edge of the tyre because it made it so nervous.”