Suppo on Stoner
Repsol Honda team principal Livio Suppo has denied continued speculation that Casey Stoner will return to MotoGP with a wildcard appearance later this season, saying that using the two-time World Champion as a test rider is the “perfect situation”.
Suppo, who worked with Stoner at Ducati in the Australian’s 2007 championship campaign and played a significant role in his move to Honda in 2011, told the Australian Grand Prix Corporation that the 27-year-old has no plan to return to racing.
“For every manufacturer, to have a fast test rider is something like a dream; it’s almost impossible to find a super-fast rider to do tests,” Suppo said.
“With Casey, it was a perfect situation. Since he retired, we spoke about his dream to still ride the bike sometimes. Everybody expects this means he will come back racing, but that’s not the case.”
Stoner completed the first of four scheduled tests for Honda at the Motegi circuit in Japan earlier this month, and while he said it was “really good to get back on the bike after nine months,” Suppo said the Australian isn’t about to change his stance on retirement.
“We are more than happy to have such a strong and fast rider in testing available, (and) Casey is very good at understanding the bike and giving suggestions to the engineers,” he said.
— Tissot clocks on as title sponsor for Australian MotoGP
With just over 50 days until Phillip Island circuit welcomes the new era of MotoGP, Tissot has claimed pole position, with the event to be officially titled the 2013 Tissot Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Renowned Swiss watchmaker, Tissot, has been a partner to MotoGP™ for many years and plays the important role of the Championship’s Official Timekeeper.
Pau Serracanta, Managing Director Commercial Area at Dorna, commented that he was very happy that Tissot is once again supporting the sport with such strength and commitment.
“Tissot is already an established brand in MotoGP and has an important role as the official timekeeper. For years, the names Tissot and MotoGP have gone together, and the fact that it has opted to be the title sponsor of a Grand Prix like Australia strengthens this successful relationship immensely.”
Tissot President François Thiébaud was very pleased to further reinforce the brand’s already strong relationship with MotoGP and the sport of motorcycle racing.
“Becoming the title sponsor for the 2013 Tissot Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at such a legendary circuit, combined with our timekeeping services, will serve to further highlight the precision and performance of our products to fans all around the world during a key period in the MotoGP World Championship,” he added.
Tissot will also continue as the presenter of the “Tissot Pole Position Awards”, where the rider who secures the front of the grid at every MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 race is gifted a special Tissot timepiece.
Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Mr Ronald Walker AC CBE, was pleased by Tissot’s signing on as the title sponsor for the upcoming Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, particularly with the event celebrating 25 years since the first World Championship race at Phillip Island.
“Tissot is committed to respecting tradition, and at the core of their values are performance, precision and setting new standards, making them the perfect brand fit for everything that the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix encompasses.“