MotoGP: Stoner considered skipping Sepang race

The 27-year-old rider was concerned over fresh injuries if he suffered a spill on the wet track.

KUALA LUMPUR: Reigning MotoGP champion Casey Stoner, who finished third in the Malaysian Grand Prix, revealed that he had considered not racing on the wet Sepang circuit on Sunday. The 27-year-old rider, recovering from an ankle injury, was concerned over fresh injuries if he suffered a spill on the wet track as pouring rain made visibility poor. “I was considering not racing as I was afraid to fall and injure my ankle again — the result of which could be catastrophic, so I was cautious in the first few laps until I found my rhythm,” said Stoner. The Australian is lying third in the world MotoGP championship standings but is out of the race for the world title which is being fought between his Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa and Yamaha ace Jorge Lorenzo. Spain’s Lorenzo, on 330 points, has a 23-point lead over his fellow countryman Pedrosa.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2012.