Casey Stoner confident ahead of Catalunya clash

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner is confident he can repeat his stunning 2007 victory in Catalunya this weekend as he tries to close the gap on series leader Valentino Rossi.

Ducati rider Casey Stoner won an enthralling Barcelona race 12 months ago, but heading into Sunday’s clash the 22-year-old is already struggling to defend his premier class world title.

The factory Ducati rider is already 46-points adrift of Rossi but Stoner is confident he his second in Mugello last weekend was further proof he has turned a corner in 2008.

“These last three races we have been getting better and better. There were only two races that we should have been off the podium this year but things didn’t go our way. We were on the podium in China and we were fast enough to at least be on the podium in Le Mans.

“Things just haven’t gone well but I feel we are fast enough to be running at the front. We are coming to tracks that I really enjoy now and this is one of them. The race last year was fantastic but it could have gone anyway and if it is similar to that it will be very difficult.”

Stoner said his point’s deficit would mean he’d have to start taking more risks, but he added he couldn’t go completely gung-ho to risk destroying his title hopes.

“I’m not chasing the world championship at the moment because I have lost a lot of points in the early part. I’m just taking it race-by-race, similar to last year but then we weren’t taking risks that weren’t necessary.

“I haven’t got a lot to lose at the moment but in other ways we have got a lot to lose because a mistake could increase the disadvantage. But we are getting better and better and more confident with the bike again and I think we can start pushing for some wins again.”

Stoner said he always relished the prospect of racing in Catalunya, but the experience was getting tougher with the increase number of bumps caused by Formula One testing.

“I like this circuit. When I first came to Europe this was one of the first tracks I rode on, and it was my favourite for a lot of years. Unfortunately the bumps have started to become a bit too bad and it makes it a little less enjoyable with the F1 cars going round and round.

“It becomes very rough and difficult to ride. It is a challenge in those ways getting the bike to be fast through the corners but also to absorb the bumps.”