"In the last test in Valencia we tried to the new bike, the new engine configuration, and I really loved it. We had a lot more traction," Stoner was quoted as saying by Autosport.
"We were able to do a lot more with the bike and considering Valencia is a very good circuit for our bike anyway, we still were able to do a very good job with the new engine configuration, so we are very happy with that and we believe it's going to help us on the tracks we struggled a little bit more in the past, make the bike a little bit more balanced throughout the season."
The new bike, even if it will provide a lower top speed, it will likely gain more when it comes to handling. This may also help Ducati's satellite teams, which had a hard time in the past with the bike.
"We are of course losing slightly on the top speed, but at Valencia since I was coming so much faster out of the last corner thanks to the extra traction we actually ended up with identical top speeds."
Of course, his excitement is enhanced by the fact that this will be the first off-season in the past three years when he did not injure himself or had any type of surgery. As in the past, his main focus in the new season will be beating Yamaha's Valentino Rossi, with Jorge Lorenzo being next on the list.
"Obviously Valentino is the one to beat. He's won the championship the last two years in a row now. For me both rivals have their strong points."
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