Next week, Casey Stoner is set to take the controls of a MotoGP bike again as he makes his first appearance in a series of testing sessions for Repsol Honda.
Having quit MotoGP in a sensational turn at the end of last season, the 27-year-old has since returned to Australia, where he now competes in the Dunlop Series, the second tier of V8 Supercars.
Despite his new location and career path, speculation continues about the potential for the two-time World Champion to participate as a wildcard in the MotoGP rounds in Australia and Japan later this year; this news will certainly fuel further rumors.
Stoner is set to participate in four testing sessions this year, allowing Honda to assess its contender for 2014.
After this week’s Dunlop Series round at Queensland Raceway, Stoner will head to Motegi, Japan, to kick off the first of these tests.
While Stoner has expressed strong criticism of various aspects of the current MotoGP regulations, he stated he is “still happy” with his choice to step away from a full-time motorcycle career.
“There are moments when I miss riding my RC213V, so I’m truly grateful that Honda has invited me to participate in testing at Motegi this year,” he explained.
“It will give me the opportunity to enjoy what I miss, which is riding a MotoGP bike.”
Despite previously expressing a desire to reintegrate Stoner into their team after his departure last season, the Honda Racing Corporation has dismissed any possibility of wildcard appearances this year.
Currently, Repsol Honda has full-time entries in MotoGP for Spaniards Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, who occupy the first and second spots in the points standings after nine rounds.
