It’s been a great week in road racing across the world, as the MotoGP World Championship testing officially got underway at Sepang, highlighted by a high profile appearance from Casey Stoner.

Stoner’s return to Ducati seems to be a masterstroke from a variety of angles, not least the fact that he can evaluate settings at race pace, with plenty of experience to his credit.

By day three of the test Casey, as we know, was quickest of the Desmosedicis and fifth for the day, resulting in ninth on combined times. Pretty amazing for a guy who hasn’t raced since 2012 or ridden a GP bike in over 12 months.

The interesting thing is, the fact that 30-year-old Stoner was immediately on the pace proves the Ducati is relatively competitive and it could help them gain a top level rider, world title caliber in the next year. Casey thinks it can win.

Source: Supplied.

“We didn’t expect to be this competitive because we are not out there searching for the perfect set up, we’re not out there trying to find that last bit of edge,” said Stoner.

“Every step we do is huge as we get a feel for each direction and how the bike reacts. We really do have our test schedule, which was step by step, and to still be doing consistent lap times despite the weather is positive for us and Ducati.

“The bike is definitely championship material. I think with a few more steps and things here and there to fix some of the weaker points, it can be very competitive.

“There is nothing really wrong. It does a few things really well and a few things not well enough so we are trying to improve those points.”

In Aragon Josh Brookes was riding again on the Milwaukee BMW, now headed to Phillip Island for the final shakedown prior to round one later this month, as will Aiden Wagner after he debuted the MV Agusta also this week.

It was announced that the Australian Superbike calendar has been revised, stretching the series out and resulting in the effective end of the planned summer series.

Right now the plan is still for Troy Bayliss Events to operate the ASBK as ‘motoSBK’ in 2017, but some suggestions out there say this isn’t 100 percent set in stone as we speak. Time will tell, but it does make 2016 look more achievable at least.

The future of the Australasian Superbike Championship is also to be finalised, since former sanctioning body Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (owned by Benalla Auto Club, which also owns Winton and Wakefield) has aligned with Motorcycling Australia.

Image: Keith Muir.

Initially it was expected that the ASC would seamlessly switch to Queensland Raceways’ RACERS insurance, but since it’s been made more clear by multiple parties that it’s not ‘that’ simple – especially when it comes to the circuits owned by the BAC.

You’d expect the ASC series to go on as planned across the scheduled six rounds, however we’ll have to wait for confirmation what all events will be licensed under. Interesting times, indeed.

And while we’re here, a great congratulations must go to multiple national champion Wayne Maxwell and wife Brooke on the birth of their newborn, Archie Joseph Maxwell, on 29 January.

One thing I wanted to note this week is that we’ve relaunched our weekly newsletter, essentially delivering you this very website to your inbox each Friday – complete with our top content from the week. Be sure to sign up via the envelope at the top of the site or by using the Contact Us area in the Resources tab.

Make sure you check out all of CycleOnline.com.au’s social networking channels and be sure to Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for even more behind the scenes insights. Just search CycleOnline.