Australia’s Casey Stoner has spoken out about the back injuries that forced him out of the first MotoGP test of 2012 at Sepang in Malaysia on Tuesday.

Stoner’s day was over almost before it began. The two-time world champion was stretching before putting on his leathers when his back suddenly locked up. So severe was his predicament that he needed help just to be moved into a less painful position.

A physiotherapist eased the pain enough so that he could get into his leathers and take to the track, but he quickly discovered there was nothing to be gained and retired for the day.

More physiotherapy was performed before he returned to the hotel to prepare for the second of the three days, which he’s certain of riding.

“I was stretching this morning for a good 20 minutes preparing to go out on track for the first time and then all of a sudden my back just locked up on me,” Stoner said. “I couldn’t move or do anything. I had to call someone to come and help me move into a position that was less painful!

“Then I had some physio on it straight away trying to get it better for this afternoon, but it wasn’t feeling good. I had some more physio after lunch, but it still wasn’t easing up. I felt I could have gone out on the bike in the afternoon, but we all agreed it would probably make it worse for tomorrow.

“We have two more days testing here in Sepang, we know the track well and we are getting to know the bike, we just need some time to test the new parts we have here to give feedback to HRC.

“I think tomorrow the track conditions will be better and as long as my back improves overnight we should get back on schedule with our testing programme tomorrow.”

Stoner first injured his back years ago, while racing the Dutch TT during his 125cc days.