Stoner to make Honda debut.
250cc World Championship runner-up, Casey Stoner, is set to make his MotoGP debut with Honda today at Valencia - ahead of what is now expected to be a full 2006 season with the Pons team.
The 20-year-old, who won five races for Aprilia this season - on his way to second in the points behind new Repsol Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa, is believed to have signed a three-year deal with HRC over last weekend.
Yamaha, who had been in pole position to clinch Stoner's signature, were apparently unable to match that offer.
250cc World Championship runner-up, Casey Stoner, is set to make his MotoGP debut with Honda today at Valencia - ahead of what is now expected to be a full 2006 season with the Pons team.
The 20-year-old, who won five races for Aprilia this season - on his way to second in the points behind new Repsol Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa, is believed to have signed a three-year deal with HRC over last weekend.
Yamaha, who had been in pole position to clinch Stoner's signature, were apparently unable to match that offer.
However, Stoner's Honda deal is yet to be officially announced, partly due to complications over the second seat - and in turn the continuation of Camel as title sponsor.
Nevertheless, whatever the outcome of those discussions, Stoner now looks set to take one of the team's RC211Vs, with either Carlos Checa or Camel's choice Max Biaggi in the other.
As a sign of the ongoing Biaggi/Camel/Pons uncertainly, Stoner will test in plain leathers and machine livery today, with Checa probably riding the second machine.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
