Stoner to run new front fork at Indy

Date published : 24 Aug 2010 - 08:45:18

Ducati will try out it latest front fork on Casey Stoner's bike at Indianapolis this weekend in a bid to give the Australian a better feel from his bike.The Italian bike manufacturer tried out the new front fork design during post-Brno testing and it has elected to fit it to one of Stoner's machines for Friday practice. If it is a success, then both he and team-mate Nicky Hayden could race it in the American event.Team manager Vittoriano Guareschi said: "We go to Indy with some things to try that we hope can give Casey those two tenths he's missing. "Over the past few months he's been happy with the engine and the handling of the GP10 but never really able to get a good feeling for the front. The new fork we tried in the Czech Republic seems to have given him a little confidence so we'll fit it to one of his two bikes on Friday afternoon. "If his feeling is as good as it was at Brno we'll use it in the race. Also Nicky, of course, can use it if he wants to. This is one of the most important races of the year for him and definitely the one he looks forward to the most. He finished third last year and considering the big steps forward he has made this season, coming close to the podium on several occasions, we hope he can be celebrating a similar result."Stoner missed last year's Indianapolis event through injury, while local hero Hayden is optimistic that the broken wrist he recently suffered will not cause him too many problems."I really can not wait to get to Indy for the race," explained Hayden. "It's such a famous track with so much history and being so close to my home I got a big crew making the trip to support me and my brother. "The event has really grown a lot in just a few years with the Indy mile dirt track, enduro cross, the stunt shows and all the downtown events, which really gives the fans a chance to make the trip worthwhile. "My broken wrist is better than last week in Brno, which I am very happy about, so we'll see on Friday just how much better. The weather looks good so I hope to come out strong from the gun on Friday and have a weekend worth remembering. Let's get it!"