Another former world champion has stated that Casey Stoner's absence from Grand Prix racing for a portion of the '09 MotoGP season is "mysterious".

1987 500c World Champion Wayne Gardner told the Australian news web site the Age that "I personally haven't ever seen anyone just stop for a rest during the year in my time of grand prix racing. It's certainly an unanswered question,".

"I don't think it puts a question mark on him as a competitor but it would just be nice to know what was the reasoning for it... I think he probably needs to come up with some answers."

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