Stoner plans to attack more in 2008

The Ducati rider was dominant for much of last year's championship, ultimately taking ten victories and ending the series with a 125-point margin over nearest rival Dani Pedrosa.

Stoner reckons that Ducati's rivals closed in on the Italian team later in the season, but that his own improvement allowed them to remain in front.

He therefore believes he will start 2008 even stronger than he began last year, and much more confident in his own ability.

"They caught up at the end of the season, but we did nothing but get faster as the season went on as well," said Stoner.

"I got a lot more confidence in myself and the bike. Everybody started to catch up in other areas but in myself and my riding ability I started to get a lot better, a lot more confident, and a lot better at explaining what I need in the bike.

"So as the season went on, we ended up winning races by just as far, and I think going into next season we've got that as a head-start.

"Last year all I wanted to do was finish races - I wasn't out there just to win them, I was there to finish them.

"But we managed to win races, so this year I think we can go out and attack a little bit more."

Stoner switched to Ducati at the start of 2007 after an erratic rookie season with LCR Honda.

He admitted that the build-up to last season had been difficult - as he was initially overawed by Ducati, and because press criticism of his 2006 performances had weighed on his mind.

"Last year I felt like a mouse, or an ant, around this team," said Stoner.

"I had a lot of bad media and I was still getting a lot of bad media before the beginning of the season.

"It's good to put all those things to rest, and I can really concentrate and focus on this next year."