Injured Stoner flies home for treatment

The world champion had a high-side at Jerez's Turn 3 yesterday and landed heavily on his left shoulder.

He sustained damaged ligaments and the Ducati team immediately suspected that he would have to miss today's running.

Stoner then suffered increased shoulder pain during the night and decided to fly back to Australia immediately so that the injury could be further investigated and treated.

"It's never much fun when you get injured" said Stoner, "but I'd rather it happened when you've got a couple of months ahead of you to recover."

In addition to missing today's test, the champion will also be absent from Ducati's title celebration weekend in Bologna, although the event will go ahead as scheduled.

"I'm sorry to disappoint all the Ducati fans who have given me their support during the season and who had hoped to see me in Bologna on Sunday, but I am sure they would prefer to see me in perfect form again for the first tests on the Desmosedici next season," Stoner said.

"I'm sure it'll be a great event for everyone at Ducati, they deserve it. We achieved our aim together and I am so sorry that we can't celebrate it together.

"Unfortunately things are much worse than I thought yesterday after the crash, and this morning we decided that the best thing to do was to go back to Australia as soon as possible for further checks with the doctor who operated my right shoulder a couple of years ago. I'm sure he'll get me back in shape again this time."