Stoner feeling fit and ready for Sunday challenge

Casey Stoner is prepared to push on for a second podium of the season at the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya tomorrow after taking a front row starting position, thanks to a late fast lap in qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

The Ducati Team rider struggled with the set-up of his bike for some of the session and encountered some traffic on track, before managing to set a best time of 1’42.410 to ensure he gives himself the best chance of success in the race.

“We only got one soft tyre in because everyone was holding us up. We had to leave it to the last minute really to do that fast lap but in general we’ve been pretty happy and consistent with our race tyres,” said Stoner.

“We struggled a little bit this afternoon trying to get some pace but we tried a few too many things and got a bit confused and it wasn’t really in the right direction,” he continued. “We feel that we can put up a bit more of a challenge. My fitness seems pretty good so we’re just going to have to wait for the race tomorrow. But qualifying was to be expected and we thought we could go a lot faster than that.”

With the air temperature reaching 35ºC and the track 53ºC there were some who struggled with the hot conditions, but Stoner was not one of them.

“For myself it’s not too bad,” he stated. “I don’t know if I’m doing a little better than everyone else and I’m sweating now because I’m under the lights! But when we were out there it didn’t seem too bad and we were doing some laps. I would have liked to have done a bit of a longer run and been a little more comfortable with the bike, but in general everything feels pretty good and I don’t feel like it’s the hardest race like everyone is going on about. I think there have been a lot worse than this!”