Stoner delaying surgery to test GP9

The Australian has been hurting due to an old fracture to the scaphoid in his right wrist and will need to have surgery eventually.

Stoner all but secured the runner-up spot in the championship with his victory in Australia on Sunday, but the outgoing champion says the only reason why he is seeing out the season is so he can test the GP9 after the season-ending race in Valencia.

"It (the Valencia test) is the only reason that we are continuing with the season," Stoner told the official MotoGP website.

"We need to test that bike again, because there is going to be a three-month period in which I can't test, and the technicians will need as much information as they can get.

"If I'm going to ride after the race at Valencia then I may as well take part in these last two races. If it gets impossible to ride then we'll stop and get the operation, but right now it looks like we can finish the season."

The Australian admitted, however, that he does want to secure second place in the standings.

"We've got two races to go, and things need to go right for us to confirm second place in the world championship," he said. "I've been thinking a lot lately, and to have second place by your name in this championship is something to look back and be proud of when you've retired.

"We're making the best of my career, and I think that we can be back fighting for the title next year."

Stoner is currently 36 points ahead of third-placed Dani Pedrosa with two races left.