Stoner set for final MotoGP race

The Repsol Honda Team rider joined Valentino Rossi, recently crowned 2012 champion Jorge Lorenzo, Cal Crutchlow and potential CRT top finisher Yonny Hernandez at the pre-race press conference held on Thursday evening.

When asked if he had any mixed emotions going into what will be his last race, Stoner responded as follows: "There is to a certain degree [mixed feelings], but like I've said in the past this isn't something I've just decided a month ago. I've known for a long time that this was going to be my last race.

"There aren't too many emotions going on, we know what our decision means, so we're going into this race like we are in the last races, to do our best at the moment, and see how we feel after the last race.

"Of course the feeling is a little bit different going into this race, not fighting for a championship, and we're not looking to next season, so there are different feelings I suppose, to what I'm used to in the past. But in general we still feel pretty good for this race, and we won't know until Monday how I feel."

In a Repsol Honda Team press release issued before the Valencia press conference, Stoner declared his recovery from the ankle injury sustained at Indianapolis was improving, and he expects to be able to handle the predominantly 'left-turning' track at this weekend's finale.

"Valencia should be a little better for me again, not as good as Phillip Island, but I've always had great success there, many pole positions and race wins," Stoner said.

"I hope we can be competitive there and with the track going left it should suit our bike and me a little better at this point. It's not going to be easy but it would be nice to get another good result in my final race in MotoGP."

Ahead of the Valencia press conference, MotoGP stars got up on stage at the Valencia Day of Champions to entertain the crowd and engage in the traditional auction to help raise money for the Riders for Health charity. The charity has a long standing connection with MotoGP™, and works to make sure all health workers in Africa have access to reliable transportation so they can reach the most isolated people with regular and predictable health care.

Image: JUST BIKES