Casey Stoner to make Honda debut at Valencia test

Casey Stoner will make his factory Honda debut immediately after the final race of the season in Valencia.

Ducati has agreed to release the Australian to begin testing a factory RC212V machine after the 24-year-old completed his expected switch to HRC earlier this month.

Ducati boss Alessandro Cicognani confirmed Ducati had accepted a request from Honda to have Stoner on board an RC212V after the final race in Valencia on November 7.

“Casey will be free to ride for Honda at the Valencia test. On Monday after Valencia the 2011 world championship starts and we don’t have a problem with releasing Casey, “said Cicognani.

Most rider contracts run from January 1 to December 31, meaning teams must seek an early release for new recruits to begin winter testing.

Ducati has yet to confirm whether Valentino Rossi will be released by Yamaha to test starting in Valencia.