Casey Stoner Will Test Alongside Regular MotoGP Riders Tomorrow

Despite retiring from MotoGP three years ago and having had his last racing experience six months ago at the Suzuka 8 Hours—where he finished in the hospital after a huge crash—Casey Stoner is the center of attention at the first 2016 MotoGP preseason tests.

Hired by Ducati as a collaborator to help in the development of the new 2016 Desmosedici, the double MotoGP World Champion was first scheduled to ride on the two days prior to the official start of the tests. But Stoner only rode the first day, scheduling his second test day for tomorrow, when he will ride alongside the actual MotoGP riders.

Stoner’s performance in his only day of testing thus far can be ticked as quite good considering the circumstances. He completed 45 laps and used just one set of tires, lapping faster than the regular Ducati development rider and MotoGP wild card rider, Michelle Pirro…clearly Casey has not lost any speed.

After the first day of testing, Ducati announced Stoner wouldn’t participate in the following day but on one of the official test days with all the MotoGP riders, which will be tomorrow, Tuesday.

Everyone is waiting with anticipation to see how competitive Stoner will be. During his run on Saturday, his best lap was a 2:02.01 on an extremely dirty track and on a bike he last rode six years ago… and with Bridgestone tires instead of the current Michelins. Thus, as said, there is plenty of curiosity about the Aussie riding again alongside his former colleagues.