Stoner’s home stretch live on Ten Sports

MUMBAI: The fat lady has already sung as far as the MotoGP title goes, but Casey Stoner is not willing to let his fingers off the accelerator of his all-conquering Ducati.

The Australian, who became the second-youngest rider to win the championship and the first for 33 years to do so on a European-manufactured bike, wants to win his home Grand Prix desperately, and Ten Sports will be present to capture the emotional moments and bring all the action live when the Australian Grand Prix takes place in the Philip Island track on Sunday, October 14.

It will be an early morning start for racing enthusiasts in the subcontinent, with the live telecast starting at 7:15 am IST.

The 21-year-old Australian’s sixth-place finish in Japan was his worst result of the season, in which he has eight victories and three other podium finishes. However, it was enough to ensure him an unassailable 83-point lead over his nearest rival, Valentino Rossi, with just three races remaining.

Following in the footsteps of such legendary Aussie riders as Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner, Stoner said he would love nothing less than a victory in his home race.

Ahead of the race, Stoner said: “Preparing for a home race with the title already secure will be something special, but the objective remains the same – try to win it, because that is what I like to do.

“This is the race I want to win. One of my dreams is to win my home Grand Prix – and Philip island is my favourite track. It will be the least stressful home GP I have ever had, and I’m looking forward to having quite a bit of fun.”

Australia has been swept by Stoner mania, and all grandstand and VIP seating has been sold.

Philip Island is a rollercoaster of a circuit, situated 130km south east of Melbourne. Real talent is needed to win here, perhaps more than at any other circuit.

The two long left-hand turns onto the main straight of Philip Island are particularly hard on rubber. The 4.48km circuit has just one short 900m straight, but five right-hand turns and seven lefts, including a daunting high-speed series of lefts onto the start/finish straight. Much of the track requires rapid changes of direction at high speed, and sustained periods of high lean-angle rides.

The race for runner-up place is heating up. Stoner is untouchable on top with 297 points, while Rossi is on 214 and Danni Pedrosa has 188.

Rossi has promised a special effort as a thank you to his Australian mechanics, and said: I am determined to have a good race. It’s an especially important race because many of my mechanics are Australian, so for them it’s their home race.”