Stoner out.!

[MadKaw]

Defending MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner will miss the Czech Grand Prix on Sunday because of an ankle injury that has all but ended his hopes of retaining his title.

Stoner, a two-time world champion, is currently third in the overall standings with 186 points, 39 behind leader Jorge Lorenzo with seven races to go.

"I've lost championships before, so we know what it's like," the Australian said.

"We're pretty much out of it, even going into this weekend. But now that we're not competing, it's done and dusted. Very frustrating, but life goes on."

Advertisement Stoner has already announced he'll retire after this season.

"It's definitely disappointing," Stoner said.

"It's not what we wanted, especially in my last season."

Stoner was hurt during qualifying for the Indianapolis GP, sustaining multiple chip fractures and four torn ligaments in his right ankle following a crash during qualifying.

Despite the injury, Stoner was cleared to race and finished fourth.

A statement on the official MotoGP website said on Thursday that the 26-year-old Stoner arrived in Brno but would later leave for Australia to undergo surgery.

Stoner said he decided to withdraw following his doctor's advice.

"The worst thing to do would be to keep going, to keep riding with it," Stoner said the doctor told him.

"And the best thing to do would be to get back and have surgery as soon as possible, so that gives us the quickest recovery rate before the end of the season, and hopefully we can get back."

Surgery is planned for early next week. It is not clear when Stoner would return to racing.

"Hopefully they can get me back on track as soon as possible and at least I'll get a few races before the end of the season," he said.

Lorenzo said the Czech fans will miss out on not being able to see Stoner race.

"It's very bad news for the championships that Casey retired from the race," Lorenzo said.

[z900/zx9]

Personally i think he had some balls even racing in the last race,its a pity hes going to be out for a while but i reckon hes doing the right thing.

[Johnnyflash]

It would be a huge shame if he cant manage to heal before the end of the season!

[KEL10R]

Bugger, guess he can pretty much kiss a 3rd championship goodbye.

[photomike666]

We're wonder if Stoner is s

[photomike666]

We're wondering if Stoner is schizophrenic

[Gosling1]

why would you wonder that ?

[laidback]

I think we are for a cracker of a contest between Pedbot and Whoregay.

Unfortunately I don't think there will be many battles between them with multiple passes.

[s man]

Yeah Im shattered, I was really looking forward to him clawing back the points lead, but its gone now.
Best of luck to him, he has single handedly waved the aussie flag for years now. But after this year its all over.