Mika Kallio to deputise for Casey Stoner in three MotoGP races

Mika Kallio

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Finnish MotoGP rider Mika Kallio will be riding for the Ducati works team in the next three events on the road racing world championship calendar.
      Kallio is stepping up to replace Australian rider Casey Stoner, who has been struggling for some time with a mystery illness and recurring problems from a wrist injury dating back to 2003, and has suffered from acute fatigue symptoms.
      The 23-year-old Stoner is the 2007 World Champion in this class, and this season he is lying third in the rankings behind the Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi of Italy and Jorge Lorenzo of Spain.
     
Stoner started the season brightly with wins in Qatar and Italy, but a blood disorder that affected him in the Catalunya GP has taken its toll in later races and and the rider has apparently pushed himself beyond the limits of his body, necessitating a complete rest.
     
For Mika Kallio, in his rookie season in MotoGP, where he has been riding for the Ducati satellite team Pramac Racing, the call to fill in for Stoner is a huge opportunity to show what he is made of.
      So far Kallio has collected 34 points in the World Championship race and is in 15th place.
      "This decision has been a difficult one for Stoner himself and for the whole Ducati team, but in this situation it was most important for the team to protect their rider's future racing career", commented Kallio.
     
On the Moto GP site, Kallio stated he could hardly believe the news when he heard it, and said he was proud to be racing with the Ducati Marlboro Team in the next three Grands Prix.
      "Obviously I'm not expecting to suddenly be a second quicker, because our bikes are very similar to the official machines, but I hope to be able to pick up some good results for the team. I would particularly like to thank [Pramac Racing owner]Paolo Campinoti, who has allowed me to enjoy this incredible opportunity. It will be a real honour for me. Nonetheless I would like to send my best wishes to Casey, and I hope to see him back out on track as soon as possible."
     
There is to be no delay: Kallio will be in action on the Ducati Marlboro bike next weekend at Brno in the Czech Republic, and will also be riding at Indianapolis ( August 28-30) and Misano in Italy ( September 4-6), while Stoner hopes to be fit to return to action in Portugal later in September.
      "Preparations for the race weekend will go in just the same way as normal. Now I have a chance to see in practice what the difference is with a works bike and the operating methods of a works team", said Kallio.
     
Mika Kallio, 26, made the move to MotoGP at the beginning of this seaon, after several years in the 125cc and 250cc classes.
      He finished runner-up in the 125cc title race in 2005 and 2006, and this year he caught the eye with two promising 8th-place finishes in the opening GPs of the season.
      Kallio himself has not been immune to injury setbacks this year - he was forced to miss the Laguna Seca GP in the United States after damaging a finger in a fall at the Dutch TT in Assen.
     


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Kallio finishes 8th on his MotoGP debut in Qatar (14.4.2009)

Links:
  Mika Kallio website
  Moto GP
  Mika Kallio (Wikipedia)
  Ducati Racing

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