Casey Stoner predicts wide open title fight

Casey Stoner says he’s expecting the 2011 MotoGP world championship fight to be a wide open contest.

The Aussie has made an impressive switch to the Repsol Honda squad for the new season and he dominated the recent Sepang test in Malaysia.

Honda has enjoyed a fantastic winter testing campaign with Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli all posting fast and competitive lap times on the new factory RC212V machine.

But with reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo also in good form and Ben Spies joining him in the factory Yamaha squad, Stoner said competition is going to be fierce when the action kicks off in Qatar on March 20.

The 2007 world champion also refused to rule out Valentino Rossi being an early contender despite the Italian experiencing a troublesome testing campaign on the new Desmosedici GP11 machine.

But Stoner said he was looking forward to the season commencing as he chases a fourth win in five years at Qatar.

“I am very excited. The races are finally approaching and I am looking forward to see how we perform with this team, how I work with the bike on the circuit and, above all, which is the general level for everyone. I am sure there will be riders more confident than others, so it will be interesting to see who goes for victory in the first race. I expect some surprises, although I did the same last year and there were the same four riders winning races and getting on the podiums. I am certain Dani and Jorge will be in front, but Andrea is quickly improving and also Simoncelli and Spies can increase the list. Valentino might be ready for the first race, but we might have to wait a little. But I am sure that there might be some unexpected rider that will make an effort to be in front. I have seen many riders that are taking more risks and they are pushing a lot more. There is more competitiveness because they think victory is possible, they feel they are closer to the podium and that motivates them to take more risks than before. I think we will see very exciting races this year, “said Stoner.

Stoner said he would only find out whether Honda a clear technical advantage when the racing commences under the Losail International Circuit floodlights next weekend.

The new RC212V has been the clear leader in winter testing but Stoner said: “It is difficult to say. Naturally, we are happy with the path Honda has taken and everything they have done for us from our first test in Valencia to now, because they have made good progress. Both Dani and I are pushing a little more than the others, but until we get to the race it is difficult to know where we really are. At this moment we are happy with what Honda is giving us, we just need to be sure that everything will work at the races”.