With Mattia Pasini testing the Ducati Desmosedici at the Mugello, rumors started up again that Casey Stoner would not be back for his programmed return for the Estoril GP in October and that Ducati was looking for another substitute, however in a telephone interview with Spanish RTVE, Livio Suppo talking in Italian, confirmed that Stoner will be back for the Estoril GP.
According to Suppo everything has been organized and flights have been booked and Ducati is eagerly waiting the return of the Australian rider, also stating that Ducati’s doctors have spoken to Stoner’s doctors in Australia and Stoner is feeling much better than when he arrived in Australia for the summer break.
Except for the Motosprint interview and brief article on Stoner doing some fishing at Top End, the Ducati rider has remained almost totally incomunicado to one and all during this 10 week absence.
Suppo has had daily contacts only with Casey’s dad/manager Colin, Nicky Hayden received a text message before the Indy GP and new Triumph BE1 World SuperSport rider Chaz Davies, a former rival of Stoner’s in the 125 British Championship and close friend, last spoke to Stoner a week after Laguna Seca.
Suppo is convinced that his rider will be back stronger than ever and when the interviewer mentioned that his rivals were looking forward to his return, Suppo jokingly added: “Once he gets out on the track, they probably won’t be so happy to have Casey back!”