Stoner slams ‘late’ weight rule change in MotoGP

MADRID - Reuters

AFP photo

Casey Stoner has hit out at a change to MotoGP regulations that forced his Repsol Honda team to add 4 kilograms in weight to its new 1,000cc bikes for the new season, saying its “late” introduction has caused problems in cornering. 

The world champion, who was half a second clear of his rivals in testing of the new machines at Sepang this week, said the team’s bikes had been “developed with a specific weight in mind” and that the situation was “rather frustrating.” 

“We already had the bike developed and then they decided to change the regulations,” the Australian, who is due to become a father for the first time in a few weeks, said in an interview published by his team yesterday. “This affects the bike,” added the 26-year-old.