At Ducati, life is not a long, quiet river. When the group of pilots is formed, the results do not follow, and when the latter arrive, the first leave. Having all the planets aligned to finally reap the fruits of your hard work is not easy. A complexity which is verified once again with the case Casey Stoner. Who, like Jorge Lorenzo, risks leaving his red tunic at the end of this year.
The development of the double Australian world champion comes on the eve of San Marino Grand Prix, thirteenth round of the MotoGP championship during which Ducati hopes to shine. This is the future of Casey Stoner within a factory in Borgo Panigale for which he plays the role of ambassador while being a test pilot. A last function today so questionable that it weakens the very idea of the first.
Until then, the situation was frozen by this declaration made by the sports director Paolo Ciabatti : " Casey is still recovering from surgery and remains unable to move his shoulder more than 90 degrees. His operation was very complex. We have decided to meet again in September, and we will evaluate the progress to see if there are the conditions to continue as a test pilot and brand ambassador, or perhaps as an ambassador. We will have to decide with him. "
September, here we are, and here is the new situation report made this time by Stoner himself… “ the shoulder is not an obstacle to testing with Ducati, I already do motocross », explains the Australian in the columns of Motoracing. " The resumption is in line with the schedule planned with Ducati after the Sepang test in February. I worked to continue being a test pilot. I came to Ducati to work hard and help them win another championship. I'm not just the guy on the company posters "
Then he hammers…” Nothing would give me more satisfaction than celebrating another title with Ducati. But I can't give more than they already have, because it seems like they're not using the data and information I give them. I have long suggested changes that they seem reluctant to make. And if you don't use my data and comments, I don't see the point in taking risks by testing. Because to get results you have to get closer to the limit "
