2015 MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo says he’ll be very surprised if fellow champion Casey Stoner doesn’t return to track next year, after signing a new deal to become a Ducati test rider.
Speaking to MotoGP.com at a PR event in Barcelona, the Movistar Yamaha rider admitted that if he was in the Australian’s position, he would want to return for his home race.
“Surely he will be encouraged to run as a wildcard in some races; I think that is their intention. I thought last year he would be out in a race, but at the end, due to circumstances, he wasn’t. He will want to go out on Phillip Island or some other tracks, surely we will see him fighting with us, I think for victory.
“I have seen very few, if any, riders with the natural talent of Casey, to be fast right away with any bike and in all weather conditions. It would be great news for everyone if Casey were to decide to come compete again. MotoGP is very difficult, many riders are fighting for victory, but having Casey back would be amazing. Hopefully he decides to return.”
Stoner pushed hard to make a return to racing in 2015 as a replacement for the injured Dani Pedrosa, but was denied by Hond abosses; a move that he revealed in an exclusive interview in this week December 16's MCN was a key part of his Ducati return.
