TOKYO, Japan, July 23, 2013 – Casey Stoner, a former Honda works team rider, will climb back on the Honda MotoGP machine RC213V, for the first time since Valencia 2012, as a test rider for Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). The two-time World Champion left the sport at the end of last year and has been linked with rumors of a wild card appearance this season but this is now out of the question. The Australian rider will do four tests in Twin Ring Motegi (Tochigi, Japan) in the next few months with Honda Racing’s R&D team, working on the evolution of the RC213V and also on the new production racer bike that Honda Racing will sell to selected teams next year to race in MotoGP.
Comment by Casey Stoner
“It’s been almost seven months now since Valencia and I’m still happy and comfortable with the decision I made to stop motorcycle racing, even if sometimes I miss riding my RCV. That’s why I am happy with HRC’s offer to do some tests in Motegi this year! This will allow me to enjoy what I miss: riding a MotoGP bike! I can’t wait to get on the RCV to see how it has changed from last year and I’d like to thank Honda for this opportunity.”
Comment by Shuhei Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of Honda Racing Corporation
“We are very pleased to have Casey back in the team! He knows this machine very well and I’m sure he can help our engineers and technicians with the development of the RC213V. We will also ask him to test the new production racer and give us his initial feedback to assist us in producing the best machine possible.”
