Source: Supplied.

Retired two-time MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner was quickly up to speed on the opening day of testing at Red Bull Ring in Austria, setting the fourth fastest time overall alongside a host of current series regulars.

Australia’s Stoner set a 1m24.502s laptime, placing him just 0.738s outside factory Ducati racer Andrea Dovizioso’s Tuesday benchmark. He was trailed by teammate Andrea Iannone, Pramac’s Scott Redding and Stoner.

“You can’t get a much more picturesque circuit than this, it’s something very special,” Stoner commented. “The circuit has some nice parts, but it’s a bit strange for bikes because some of the corners don’t flow well together, which makes it somewhat difficult.

“In general today has been quite good, the surface is fantastic and very smooth, the grip level seems somewhat medium, but we’ll put some more rubber down and get a little bit more feeling on the track.

“This test is a little easier than Misano, where it was very hot and I hadn’t been on the bike for a long time, whereas today I didn’t struggle and it was easier for me on the bike. Today we’ve been trying a lot of comparisons with the bikes, with wings, without wings, lots of things to get data and it’s all been quite positive.”

Further testing at the circuit will take place on Wednesday, with Stoner once again poised to ride alongside Ducati Team duo Dovizioso and Iannone aboard the latest Desmosedici GP.