Portuguese MotoGP, Estoril
Date: 3-4 October
Saturday 3 October: Qualifying: 1250-1600, BBC Red Button/online Sunday 4 October: 250cc race: 1105-1205, BBC Red Button/online Race live: 1230-1400, BBC One/online, MotoGP Extra 1400-1430, Red Button/online, 125cc race: 1430-1530 BBC Red Button/online By Matt Roberts
BBC Sport at Estoril |
  Stoner missed three races with a mystery illness |
Casey Stoner made a welcome return to the MotoGP fold in Portugal on Friday and other than a mild case of arm discomfort the Australian reported major improvements in his physical condition since being forced to withdraw from action following Ducati's Donington debacle two months ago. After causing a scare in the team garage when he headed back to pit after two laps, only to complain that the riding position and brake levers were not correctly adjusted, Stoner completed a total of nineteen laps and put three short runs together - the last of which could have lifted him higher than an otherwise impressive fourth place but for an erroneous set-up modification. "It feels great to be back on the bike and to be competitive again," said Stoner after the session. "I actually thought I'd feel more tired than I do right now and other than the arm pump, which I expected, to say I haven't trained properly for four months I feel pretty good."  |  Find out why James Toseland turned down the Pramac seat on our show on Sunday |
Arm pump is when the blood flow entering your arms is greater than the amount of the blood flow out. Stoner experimented with a new bodywork design on his GP9, which is designed to combat the strong winds that are usually prevalent at this circuit. An uncharacteristically calm day on the Atlantic coast rendered its impact virtually obsolete but it looked great!
Not to be outdone in the style stakes, Jorge Lorenzo wore a special helmet that was designed to look like that of an astronaut.  Lorenzo tries on his new helmet for size |
The Spaniard and his team-mate Valentino Rossi are wearing a special white and silver livery on their Yamahas this weekend to celebrate main team sponsor Fiat's latest new model, the Punto Evo, so Jorge decided he'd finish the spaceman look off himself! To be fair he was on another planet for much of the session, setting consistent 1'37 laps on just his second run before a late effort of 1'37.185 left him four tenths clear of closest chaser Dani Pedrosa.
Lorenzo and Pedrosa will be given huge Spanish backing this weekend, with thousands of their compatriots making the short annual pilgrimage across the border. In fact, a whole grandstand has been taken up by members of Lorenzo's official fan club, who are planning to dress up as Spartan warriors in an attempt to inspire him to a repeat of his victory here last year.
For many of the numerous British fans that have made the trip down here, and the ex-pats who live here, this will sadly be their last chance to see James Toseland in action amongst the world's elite, with the Yorkshireman harshly heading for the MotoGP exit door. | 606: DEBATE |
Other riders to have been officially confirmed for next year are Mika Kallio and Randy de Puniet, who have re-signed for the Pramac Ducati and LCR Honda teams respectively. Other than the possibility of an extra Honda being made available for current 250cc series leader Hiroshi Aoyama, the only ride now available is the second Pramac seat, which Toseland turned down in favour of a return to World Superbikes with Yamaha. Find out why in our show on Sunday!
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