Motorcycling: Injured Stoner returns home for treatment

JEREZ, Spain, Nov 29, 2007 (AFP) - Australian world champion Casey Stoner,
who injured his left shoulder during a fall in testing here, confirmed
Thursday that he is returning home for treatment.
The Ducati rider did not take part in the final day of testing as a result
of Wednesday's crash in which he injured the ligaments in his left shoulder.
The pain intensified during the night and Stoner decided to return
immediately to Australia for further medical checks and to begin treatment.
Stoner will not be able to attend the celebrations for Ducati's World
MotoGP title victory this weekend in Bologna, Italy.
"It's never much fun when you get injured but I'd rather it happened when
you've got a couple of months ahead of you to recover," said Stoner.
"I'm sorry to disappoint all the Ducati fans who have given me their
support during the season and who had hoped to see me in Bologna on Sunday,
but I am sure they would prefer to see me in perfect form again for the first
tests on the Desmosedici next season.
"Unfortunately things are much worse than I thought yesterday after the
crash, and this morning we decided that the best thing to do was to go back to
Australia as soon as possible for further checks with the doctor who operated
my right shoulder a couple of years ago. I'm sure he'll get me back in shape
again this time."
pld/ea/lp07


____________________________