Stoner to 'limit damage' in slow tracks

With a tendency towards top speed at five of the first seven tracks in this year's MotoGP calendar, the Australian is looking to make the most of the slower circuits coming up in order to minimize the damage.

Asked if he and the works Ducati team might sway forthcoming tests towards set-up for the tighter, twistier tracks such as Donington, Sachsenring and Laguna Seca, Stoner seemed confident in continuing to lead the title chase after the mid-season races.

"We're just going to have to limit damage (at the tighter circuits)," said Stoner. "We might get there and the Ducati will be great. We don't know that yet. We have a lot of different options with set-up, we're learning so much more every race.

"A lot of the other teams have got similar machinery as last year, same chassis, so they know what the guy can do.

"We're still exploring our boundaries and we're getting faster all the time so maybe when we get to these circuits we'll have some more knowledge and we'll maybe make a setting that'll be great for them."

Stoner, winner of three of the first four races of the season, is currently leading the championship by 15 points from Yamaha rival Valentino Rossi.