Motorbike Insurance

Loris Capirossi believes that his new teammate Casey Stoner will be challenging the more established MotoGP riders this season, but he thinks the rookie still has far to go.

Stoner enjoyed an impressive debut year with Honda, in which he came eighth overall and managed a podium finish in only his third race of the season, before making the switch to Ducati where he replaced the now retired Sete Gibernau.

The young Australian looked increasingly comfortable with his new 800cc bike during recent testing in his homeland, setting a fastest lap of just over a minute 30 seconds, but his veteran colleague thinks that the real examination will begin when the season starts.

Motorbike Insurance - Great Quotes!

Capirossi told Motor Cycle News: "I've said a lot of times that Casey is a really strong rider.

"He is really talented, but we have to understand what happens during the season. In testing there is more time to work, time to think and it's easier."

The Italian explained that, while he believes Stoner has it in him to improve on last season's position, in order to win races he will have to replicate his good performances in training under considerably more stress and in just four hours as well.

Now approaching his 34th birthday, Capirossi will nonetheless be hoping to stay ahead of his young teammate and build on the top three finish that made 2006 his best season to date in MotoGP racing.

08/02/12 - Triumph takes award for Motorcycle Live exhibition. Triumph is celebrating after being named the best exhibitor at Britain's leading motorcycle show.

08/02/12 - Yamaha extends low-finance offers. Yamaha has extended the range of motorcycles covered by its Street Wise finance promotion.

01/02/12 - David Robb leaves BMW post. The man responsible for transforming the BMW Motorrad motorcycle brand has left the company after 18 years.

Past motorbike news