Stoner ready to bounce back in Italy

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Stoner likes Mugello and has enjoyed some good results there.

World champion Casey Stoner is determined to bounce straight back in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix after last weekend's crash at the Sachsenring dealt a blow to his hopes of defending his crown in his final season.

Stoner crashed out with two bends of the final lap remaining in Germany, in a race won by team mate Dani Pedrosa.

The main beneficiary of Stoner's spill was Yamaha's former champion Jorge Lorenzo who was gifted the runner-up spot to move clear at the top of the riders standings on 160 points.

Pedrosa climbed into second on 146 with Stoner on 140.

Had Stoner settled for second he would now lead the standings on 165 points, with Lorenzo on 156 and Pedrosa on 142.

Stoner, who was third at Mugello in 2011, said: "I've always liked this circuit, we've enjoyed some pretty good results there. Last year didn't go to plan but we know what we did wrong so hopefully this year we can be a little more competitive.

"I really enjoy the fast corners here."

"There are a quite a few places where we get a lot of wheelspin and several fast changes of direction.

"It's not a small dinky little circuit that you can't use these bikes on; it's actually somewhere where you can open the bike up and actually get to full throttle.

"After a disappointing race in Sachsenring, I want to get back on the bike and take some points back in the Championship."

Pedrosa earlier in the day confirmed he had signed a two-year contract extension with Honda after his maiden win of the season in Germany.

"It was great to win the race in Germany."

”The feeling was so good, he said. “And after that Honda and myself announced that we will continue together.

"This is great news for me, because I've been many years with Honda since I started racing. I have always raced Repsol Honda. For us to continue it's great and we are hoping to continue in a strong way, also now in the second half of the championship."

He added: "Mugello is a great circuit for us. Last year doesn't count much because I wasn't so fit, but two years ago I won the race here, so I'm pretty confident here. The Honda is normally good here. We hope to do a good job and to do a good race."

MARQUEZ TO MOTOGP

His new team mate will be compatriot and current Moto2 championship leader Marc Marquez, who will replace the retiring Stoner at Honda for the 2013 and 2014 championships.

The 19-year-old Marquez, World 125cc champion in 2010, finished runner-up in Moto2 last year and is currently leading the standings by 43 points after eight of 17 races.

He said: "To reach MotoGP next season with Repsol Honda is a dream come true - but for now my focus is on Moto2 where my team and I are working very hard and we are excited to achieve our goal, which is to win the world championship in 2012."

ROLLERCOASTER RIDE

Lorenzo, like Stoner, has had a rollercoaster spell in the championship with his win in Germany prefaced by a crash in Assen the week before.

The Mugello circuit is a favourite for Lorenzo, having taken victory in the 250cc class, two second-place premier-class finishes in 2009 and 2010 and his first Grand Prix premier class win last year.

He said: "After two very difficult race weekends we arrive at Mugello, where we delivered a great victory last year. I love the track; it's very fast and should be a good one for our bike.

"I'm very happy to be leading the Championship but we still have many races to go so our target is to again aim for the podium and victory if it is possible." - Reuters

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