Suppo explains missing Stoner situation

With the 2007 MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner being given a three-race break to recover from the fatigue-inducing illness from which he is suffering the Ducati MotoGP Project Leader Livio Suppo explained the situation to motogp.com ahead of the Cardion AB Czech Republic Grand Prix.

When Stoner stayed on in California for a series of medical tests after the Laguna Seca race doctors were unable to provide a clear picture of his health problems, with his body showing signs of ‘slight gastritis and mild anaemia’. But when the symptoms continued after Stoner returned to Australia during the ‘summer’ break it was decided that a period of complete rest would be required.

Stoner is still undergoing tests and will not be back on his bike before the Portuguese Grand Prix at the beginning of October, with Mika Kallio being brought in from Ducati satellite team Pramac Racing to ride the now spare factory Desmosedici.

Suppo stated, “Of course it has been a very difficult decision to take. When Casey got back to Australia he was getting very tired with whatever he did, even riding a horse or anything like that. So the Australian doctors suggested stopping, because if he can’t do anything it means there is definitely something wrong.”

He continued, “Unfortunately we still have to understand exactly what it is. It is not the first time and it won’t be the last time that it takes a while to understand why somebody is sick. Casey is a sportsman, leading the Ducati factory team and fighting for the World Championship so it makes it more difficult for him. We believe and the doctors believe that these two months will be enough to understand the problem and for Casey’s body to recover.”

On the selection of Kallio as Stoner’s temporary replacement, Suppo added, “I personally thought immediately, if Casey is not here then Mika is the right one to put in there, because he is already used to a bike that is very similar to ours and because he is doing pretty well. He has been unlucky but he has been fast, so I’m pretty sure that Mika and Nicky (Hayden) will do a good job in these next three races.”