Valencia MotoGP: Casey Stoner eyes hat-trick

Casey Stoner is looking to end a troubled 2009 campaign in positive fashion in Valencia this weekend with the Aussie chasing a third successive victory.

The 24-year-old has been in brilliant form since returning from a mid-season illness break, the 2007 world champion claiming a hard fought victory over Valentino Rossi in Phillip Island before he romped to a dominant success in a rain-lashed Sepang.

Stoner’s sensational return to form has given him an outside chance of claiming second place in the championship as he trails Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo by 25-points.

A second successive victory for Stoner on Sunday and a non-finish by Lorenzo would give Stoner second place by virtue of his greater number of wins in 2009.

The former LCR Honda rider though is only concentrating on another strong showing on his factory Ducati GP9 and he said: “Valencia is a circuit I’ve always liked – it is tight and slow but surprisingly flowing and I think it’s a good circuit for a MotoGP bike.

“Apart from anything it is a great viewing spectacle for the fans, who can follow the bikes around practically the whole circuit.

“My Ducati has always run really well there and I’ve been on the pace for the past couple of seasons – in testing and in the races – so obviously we’re hoping that trend continues, even though we will have to make a few small adjustments to the bike.

“We’re finally at the end of the season and already looking forward to the next one, so if we can win this race then great, if not we’ll try and finish the year with a podium and then start working towards next year.”