Casey Stoner confirms Motegi return

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has confirmed he will be back in MotoGP action at next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi.

The Australian has been out of action since he badly damaged his right ankle in a qualifying crash for the Indianapolis round in mid-August.

Stoner had always hoped to be fit for the Japan round to help gain strength in his ahead of a bid to score an unprecedented sixth consecutive win on home soil at Phillip Island later this month.

Speaking on his personal blog for Repsol today, the double MotoGP world champion said: “It’s been another quiet week here in Australia, I’ve been resting, having some physio and following doctor’s orders to recover.

“The good news is that I feel I can race in Motegi and will be rejoining my team next week and I can’t wait to get back on track! I look forward to return in Motegi in front of all the Honda home fans.”

Stoner’s return means British rider Jonathan Rea’s hectic schedule will finally come to an end after this weekend’s final World Superbike round in Magny Cours.

The Ten Kate Honda rider will get a  weekend off after racing in World Superbikes and MotoGP on five successive weekend’s.

Rea finished in a creditable seventh place in his second ride on Stoner’s RC213V at the Motorland Aragon track in Spain last weekend having finished eighth in Misano.