Casey Stoner gets a Hypermotard

Forget cards and cakes, newly crowned MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner was given a brand new Ducati Hypermotard by the Italian manufacture for his 22nd birthday yesterday.

Casey Stoner was given the keys to the motorcycle after opening Ducati City, the new Ducati Store in Melbourne just days after winning his home GP at Phillip Island.

He said: “Thanks so much to Ducati; I really appreciate this surprise gift even if you all make me become redder than the motorcycle.

“Sunday was an incredible day for me with everyone under the podium singing the Australian national anthem.”

The young Aussie also shone some light on whether he’ll be sticking to his traditional number 27 next season or donning the number one plate.

“I am very attached to 27 because that is the number I got when I was racing with the team of Alberto Puig, a person that I highly regard and that helped me in the beginning of my career in Europe.

“However, I also think of all of the people that have worked so hard, just like my team, Ducati and I have done to obtain this result, deserving number 1.

I haven’t made a definite decision yet, but I am leaning more towards number ‘1’.”