Motorcycling: Stoner looks to bounce back in Italy

MUGELLO: MotoGP World champion Casey Stoner is determined to bounce 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. The Australian crashed out with two bends of the final lap remaining in Germany, in a race won by teammate Dani Pedrosa. The 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. “We’ve enjoyed some pretty good results here,” said Stoner. “After a disappointing race last week, I want to take some points back in the Championship.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2012.