Bradl injury sparks Stoner stand-in rumours


MotoGP News
Date: 12/October/2013

An ankle fracture for LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl at Sepang on Saturday ignited speculation that Casey Stoner might take over the ride for his home Australian round next weekend.

Stoner, 27, retired from MotoGP as a double world champion at the end of last season, but has recently been testing for Honda.

He is unbeaten at the Phillip Island circuit for the past six years and is already due to attend the grand prix for a lap of honour.

After taking pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix, Marc Marquez - who took over Stoner’s seat at Repsol Honda and leads the 2013 standings - said:

“It would be interesting to ride with Casey and a dream come true to ride with another world champion, but this is a decision for Honda.”

Stoner’s former arch-rival Valentino Rossi responded: “I hope to be in a great shape next weekend so that if Stoner comes we can try to fight with him, because at Philip Island he’s very fast. But it looks like we are not so far.”

Sadly for MotoGP fans, it looks like they will not get to see a Stoner vs. Rossi rematch, or the first head-to-head meeting between Stoner and Marquez: When questioned at Sepang, Honda insisted that Stoner will definitely not be riding Bradl’s bike.

Bradl will have surgery in Kuala Lumpur tonight and may even try and ride next weekend.

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