August 11, 2009

Casey Stoner's world title hopes have been dashed by a mystery virus that has ruled the 2007 champion out of the next three MotoGP races, the Australian's Ducati team announced.

Stoner, 23, was feeling unwell at the Catalonian and Dutch races and received treatment after Laguna Seca.

He said he had taken what he described as “this difficult decision” after consultations with his medical team back in Australia.

“The doctors believe I was already suffering from a virus in Barcelona and that in continuing to ride I pushed my body too far which led to a state of extreme fatigue,” he explained.

He will be replaced by Finland's Mika Kallio for this month's Grand Prix in the Czech Republic and Indianapolis and San Marino on September 6 with a return expected in Portugal.

Stoner was lying third in the overall standings behind Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi of Italy and Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo.

The battle for the world title will now focus on Rossi and Lorenzo with the Italian having a 35-point advantage with eight races left.