Casey Stoner arm pump continues to be a problem

WORLD champion Casey Stoner admits he is still battling an arm problem despite the impressive win in Portugal which ensured the best season start of his MotoGP career.

The Honda rider - whose maiden win on the Estoril track means he's now had victories at every Grand Prix circuit - triumphed from 2010 world champion Jorge Lorenzo yesterday, claiming a one-point lead over the Spaniard after three rounds.

With two wins and a third placing, he's off to his hottest start to a season since he joined MotoGP in 2006.

The 26-year-old also picked up two wins in the first three races on the way to his first MotoGP title in 2007, but failed to finish on the podium in the other.

The success has come despite being affected by “arm pump”, a condition where the nerves get trapped and numb the hand during races.

“There was a bit of pressure throughout the race,” said Stoner.

“I wasn't feeling good or comfortable and I had a bit of arm pump.

“I was lucky to hold on and win.”

Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedrosa, who became only the seventh rider to celebrate 100 podium finishes as he came third, praised Stoner's ride.

“Casey did a good race, unbelievably strong,” Pedrosa said.

“It's been a really tough race from the beginning, the pace was very, very high from the first lap to the final one.

“To reach my 100th podium is amazing and shows how fast the time goes.”

Lorenzo, winner here twice including his first ever victory at this level, said he had never felt as if he was going to win.

“To be honest I only ever expected to be at best second,” said Lorenzo, who had seen his run of four successive poles ended here on Saturday when he timed fourth fastest in qualifying.

“We had a lot of problems in practice and we were losing time every lap in the straight. Stoner was very strong.”

Pedrosa got the better start but was quickly passed by both Stoner and Lorenzo while Cal Crutchlow lost two spots and Valentino Rossi, gained two places from ninth to seventh.

With 10 laps to go Stoner and Lorenzo looked to have the race to themselves as Pedrosa dropped off slightly and further behind the field was whittled down with just 16 remaining of the original 20 starters.

Stoner repelled everything that Lorenzo threw at him and going into the final lap held a comfortable lead of just over a second and never looked like relinquishing that advantage.

The Australian overtook Lorenzo on the points table which, after three races, now reads Stoner 66, Lorenzo 65, Pedrosa 52 and Cal Crutchlow 37.

Original story by The Australia:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/arm-injury-hampers-casey-stoners-hot-mo...

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Casey Stoner dismisses retirement rumours

Two rounds into the 2012 MotoGP season and world champion Casey Stoner found himself being asked about rumours he is considering retirement - at the age of just 26.

A Spanish magazine suggested that the Australian wants to spend more time with his newly born daughter and has little left to prove after winning 34 premier-class races and MotoGP titles for both Ducati and Honda.

A less compassionate reason might be that Stoner, like all of the top riders, is out of contract at the end of this year. With a switch to another manufacturer unlikely, putting out a whisper of retirement would help persuade HRC to offer the most favourable terms possible for 2013.

But all such theories can be thrown out of the window, with Stoner labelling the retirement speculation as completely untrue.

“I'm basically saying don't believe what you read in the press... Don't read what you produce!” smiled Stoner to a Spanish reporter at Estoril on Thursday, causing laughter in the pre-event press conference.

“This was the same thing as some years ago. I spent one race out because I wasn't capable of racing and everybody said I was retiring.

“This is just another rumour and it has no fact.”

That firm denial followed similar comments earlier in the press conference.

“Everyone seems quite good at stories and making them up. I've said in the past that I'm not going to keep riding until my mid 30s. But I haven't decided what I'm doing, so certainly no-one else is going to know,” Stoner had said.

“Until you hear it out of my mouth then don't believe anything you read.

“A few people's contracts end at the end of this year - but no, there's nothing to do with retirement at this point. I definitely have to think at some point in the future about how many more years I want to race, but not right now.”

Stoner, currently seeking a complete cure for his recent arm pump problems, starts this weekend's Estoril event just four points from title leader Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) after victory last Sunday at Jerez.

Colin Stoner is currently negotiating his son's contract extension with Honda.

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Casey Stoner surprised with Jerez Motogp victory

By Stephen English

Having qualified fifth, MotoGP champion Casey Stoner was downcast about his prospects of claiming his first Spanish Grand Prix win, the Australian commenting on Saturday that, “The Spanish riders just seem to find something extra here at Jerez.”

With Jorge Lorenzo on pole position and countryman Dani Pedrosa alongside him on the front row, it seemed that Stoner would have a hard day's work to get to the front of the field during the 27 lap race.

A slow start did not help his cause with the Repsol Honda rider Stoner getting boxed in by Ben Spies, but with damp conditions the eventual victor was simply keen to avoid any potential accidents at the opening corner.

Stoner alluded to his clash with Valentino Rossi last year by saying, “I put myself into a nice comfortable position [at the first corner] not to hit a wet patch and not to get t-boned by somebody”

The 26 year old however wasted little time moving to the front of the field and once there his thoughts changed to battling with Lorenzo and Pedrosa.

“I didn't think I could break away from Dani or Jorge,” said Stoner. “But I thought I could go away with them for the chance of a podium.”

In the closing stages of the race however Stoner was struggling with arm pump and poor grip under braking, allowing Lorenzo to close up to his rear wheel.

“The bike wasn't working great at the end of the race under brakes and we were just trying to hold on for the win.”

That's exactly what Stoner succeeded in doing, claiming his first 1000cc victory by 0.947s over Lorenzo, with Pedrosa two-seconds behind in third.

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