Newly crowned MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has revealed that Honda will be staying on at Sepang to test its 2012 1000cc bike on Monday, immediately after this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.
"We're testing the 1000cc bike on Monday after the race, with the Championship now wrapped up, we can concentrate on the development of next year's machine, so I'm also looking forward to that," said Stoner.
The Australian will be seeking his tenth win of the season in this weekend's penultimate round, when Repsol Honda look set to add the Teams' title to the Riders' and Constructors' crowns secured in Australia last Sunday.
"After clinching the title in the last race at Phillip Island we go to Malaysia with a lot less pressure and we can just look forward to the race," said Stoner. "It's disappointing to hear that Jorge [Lorenzo] is unlikely to be there, we had hoped that his recovery from the operation would mean he could race there but we'll miss him there again.
"After pre-season testing in Sepang we proved to be competitive so we will arrive there positive and look to enjoy the weekend." Eight rider/days of 1000cc testing with MotoGP riders are allowed before the end of the 2011 racing season. Ducati has already used all eight days, while Honda has so far used five days and Yamaha four. Suzuki is still to confirm its 2012 plans.
The 2011 racing season ends at Valencia on November 6, after which an official two-day test will be held. Another Repsol rider, Moto2 title contender Marc Marquez, is expected to confirm his 2012 plans at Sepang this weekend.
source: crash
