Suppo: Fully fit Stoner would have been closer to top two

Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner has not been a well man in recent weeks, and at the Alice TT Assen the Australian once again had a severe dip in fitness during the race. The mystery illness did not stop Stoner getting on the podium, but Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo was convinced that his charge would have been up there with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo had his condition not been adversely affected.

“There is something not right, that is obvious,” said Suppo in the aftermath of the Dutch round. “We have tried to find out what the problem is, but it hasn’t been enough. We have to continue to trust in the Clinica Mobile: we have spoken with Doctor Macchiagodena and are expecting one of their ‘miracles’ for Laguna Seca.

“I feel for Casey, because he’s had a hard weekend. The race was a positive one though. If he hadn’t have had such problems, he would definitely have been closer to Rossi and Lorenzo, as those three are having a championship between themselves at the moment.”

Suppo also hailed the performances of Stoner’s teammate Nicky Hayden, who was involved in a mid-pack battle despite having to perform running repairs on his handlebars, and satellite rider Mika Kallio who crashed out whilst fighting for sixth place.

“These improvements are the proof of the great job that Filippo Preziosi and Vittoriano Guareschi are doing in improving the bike for everyone. Now our main problem is getting Casey back in peak form,” concluded the Italian.

Videos:

• Livio Suppo on Stoner performance

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