Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner was an unwilling, and frustrated, spectator after being denied permission to race in the German Grand Prix today. The Chief Medical Officer at the Sachsenring ruled that Stoner could not take his place on the grid after a crash in the morning warm-up session. This decision was taken after Stoner had been cleared of any injury by a scan at the Chemnitz Hospital. Stoner had walked away shaken, but unhurt, from the crash and the scan was requested to check that he had not suffered a concussion. The scan result was negative and Stoner was ready to race. LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello discussed the decision at length with the circuit chief doctor but to no avail. Cecchinello now believes that a system that gives the final medical clearance to an FIM appointed doctor who attends all races should now be considered as part of the MotoGP Sporting Regulations.

“As a committee member of IRTA I going to recommend that we put on the agenda a system of having an FIM medical delegate at each grand prix, and that he would have the final decision in these matters. This would be similar to the system in Formula One operated by the FIA. After almost 20 years in racing I still do not understand the inflexible approach of the chief circuit doctor, although he does have the final say -- Casey NEVER lost consciousness in the crash and he was cleared of any problems by the hospital scan.”

“I made a small mistake in the warm-up and crashed, but there was absolutely no problem with me -- physically or mentally -- I was capable of racing today. I was cleared by the scans, and it is very disappointing the circuit doctor would not allow me to race. I really feel that I had very strong chance of scoring points here after a very positive practice on the updated chassis which HRC supplied to the team. It’s frustrating and all I can do now is try and regroup for Laguna Seca next week. I’ve never been to America so that should be cool.