Stoner: we deserve more credit

The 21-year-old finished sixth at last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix to secure his first MotoGP title with three races to spare.

The Australian also became his country's first champion since Mick Doohan won the 500cc crown in 1998.

Stoner and his Bridgestone-shod Ducati have won eight races as the Japanese tyre manufacturer seemed to have adapted better to this year's regulations. Stoner's main rival Valentino Rossi, riding a Yamaha with Michelin tyres, has won four races.

The new champion admitted he is tired of suggestions that Bridgestone should get most of the credit for his dominance, although he also praised the Japanese manufacturer for the job it has done this season.

"I'm really tired of listening to all this stuff about tyres," said Stoner. "We made a decision at Ducati to go with Bridgestone and they've done a fantastic job. There were also moments in Bridgestone's career in Grands Prix when they were not competitive.

"They've done a fantastic job to come up to this level and today again they got a one-two-three. Everything's working very well for us this year. If we go to the one tyre rule I hope we can go with Bridgestone, because they've done a fantastic job for us this year, we work very well with them and I'm very grateful to them.

"But like I've said before, if you do a one tyre rule then you may as well go into a one motorcycle rule and then you may as well run an R6 Cup. It's the same. This is a prototype championship and there should be prototype everything."

When asked if he should get more praise for his riding, Stoner added: "Sometimes maybe, but the team and the tyres need credit - not just to complain about the speed of the bike or the competition of the tyres. They need to be given a pat on the back for the job they've done.

"Sometimes maybe we also deserve a little more credit because we've been working really hard all my career to be in this position, and we've been working really hard this season.

"At a lot of races we were a lot faster than other riders because we were working a lot harder. We put in the effort and we got the rewards this year."

Stoner, a massive 83 points ahead of Rossi in the standings, believes next season will be harder, as he expects his rivals to raise their game.

"For sure everybody's going to get stronger," he added. "My competitors aren't too happy that I got the world championship and they'll be trying to chase us down next year. But we must try to win more races for next year, to improve the bike, and that's the main importance.

"We still must take it race by race, and if we're able to win the title next year then it's a dream come true and we can move on to the next one."