Ducati boss: ‘I see a new Casey Stoner’

Ducati boss Vittoriano Guareschi believes Casey Stoner is a transformed character after the trials and tribulations of a tough 2009.

The Australian rider had to miss three races last season while he sought to diagnose a chronic fatigue issue that was linked to lactose intolerance.

The 24-year-old is now fully recovered and throughout winter testing has looked in relaxed and confident mood as he prepares to try and win back the world title he claimed in 2007 from Valentino Rossi and Yamaha.

Stoner has been in impressive form all winter on the new factory Ducati GP10 and he topped the timesheets at the final test in Qatar earlier this month.

And Italian team boss Guareschi reckons Stoner has emerged from the problems of ’09 as a much stronger character.

Guareschi told MCN: “I see a different face and the eyes of Casey have changed. He is a lot more relaxed and after the problems he had he has comeback much stronger inside. It’s like he felt dead before and now he is alive.

“Now he has changed and for me this year he is going to be very, very strong.”

The new MotoGP season gets underway on April 11 at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

Check out the April 7 issue of MCN for a free 32-page glossy preview of the 2010 campaign.