Doctors identify Stoner illness?

Casey Stoner will continue to ride on in this year's MotoGP World Championship despite being diagnosed with 'slight gastritis and mild anaemia', an illness that will continue to see him receive treatment for the next few weeks.

Having been struck down with what was being dubbed a 'mystery illness' in recent weeks, Stoner stayed behind in the United States following the Laguna Seca round to have further medical tests in a bid to determine exactly what was wrong with him.

Doctors have now revealed that the former champion has been suffering from slight gastritis and mild anaemia, which will require further treatment in the coming weeks to ensure that he returns to full health.

Nonetheless, admitting to feeling less than 100 per cent, Stoner will continue to fight for this year's MotoGP crown, starting with this weekend's German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring.

"I have been in USA until Saturday to do all the tests. First of all I'd like to thanks all the Doctors involved in this, Dr. Ting and Dr. Tuan in the Fremont Surgery Center, Dr. Macchiagodena, Dr. Catani, Dr. Ceccarelli and of course my physiotherapist Freddy. Hopefully step by step I will feel better with their indications.

"I still don't feel like I am 100% but the biggest problem now is the ribs that are very painful after the crash in the USA GP Qualifying. It will be probably another hard week end, but as always, we will do our best to stay as much as possible close to the lead of the Championship."

Project director Livio Suppo, meanwhile, is confident Stoner will come back fighting, labelling him as being 'made of stern stuff'

"This is a delicate time for Casey but we know he is made of stern stuff. He will continue to fight like a lion, as he has done in the past few races, even though the crash at Laguna left hits mark on him and that certainly won't help."

Stoner is currently third in the standings, 16 points behind leader Valentino Rossi.