Stoner Returns For Four More Races

Australian Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner will return to action this weekend as MotoGP heads to Japan for round 15 of the 2012 calendar. Stoner has not raced since the Indianapolis Grand Prix almost two months ago, where he suffered severe injuries during qualifying at the Brickyard. With four races remaining in this year's campaign, Stoner is no longer a title contender, but can be of great help to his Spanish team mate Dani Pedrosa on his way to his first MotoGP title in his career.
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“It's going to be great to see all my team and get back on my bike in Motegi this weekend,” Stoner said, looking ahead to the Japanese Grand Prix. “The last six weeks have been pretty tough for me. I've had to sit around and rest my ankle, get some physio and try to occupy my time. Thankfully I've had my wife Ally around to keep me occupied.

“I've been watching the races at home. I felt bad for Dani in Misano, but these things can happen as they did for Jorge Lorenzo at Assen. The Motegi circuit is very stop-start, with a lot of hard braking and accelerating; it's pretty tough on the body and physically quite demanding."

“The first session on Friday will be crucial to see how my ankle feels in the boot, the degree of movement I have and pressure I can apply.”

The two-time MotoGP World Champion is to retire after the season ends in Valencia on November 11 and will be replaced by Spanish Moto2 rider Marc Marquez at the Repsol Honda Team next year