MotoGP: Stoner completes first European Ducati test

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Casey Stoner has completed his first European MotoGP test in four years this week, after spending two days at Italy’s Misano circuit on the Desmosedici GP16 machine.

Joined by a number of other riders including Sam Lowes making his debut on the Aprilia machine, Stoner admitted that it was nice to return to the continent after testing in Sepang and Losail.

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“We’ve had a very positive test, this being my first time on a European track since 2012 and my first time in Misano since 2011. It’s been a long time and it’s really nice to ride these European-style tracks again and get a feel for what a bike is for basically 70 or 80 percent of the season.

“Everything we have done has been very positive; we got 95% of our test done over these two days so it’s been very good. We got some direction with Michelin and were able to get a bit of direction between the chassis’ and the electronics etc. I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes from this for the next stages and also what the factory riders really think of the steps we’ve been able to make.”

However, his hard work is far from over for the week, as he remains at the track to help the Italian firm celebrate their 90th birthday with World Ducati Week.

“The next few days are going to be really interesting. I haven’t been to World Ducati Week for a long time! It’s hard to remember what it was like back then, but now I’m looking forward to the whole weekend and seeing so many fans, everyone who turns up, the amount of bikes. The 90th anniversary of Ducati is such a big celebration and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”

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