Aussies ready to fire The riders have descended upon Phillip Island ahead of this weekend’s 2007 Australian MotoGP, with Aussie World Champ Casey Stoner ready to turn up the heat in front of his home crowd. Despite overcast conditions on Thursday, and with several spots of showers throughout the day, several of the classes competing over the weekend held closed practise sessions. However all the buzz seemed centred around the first official press conference of the event, where Stoner, together with other riders including fellow Aussies Chris Vermeulen and Anthony West, faced a packed media centre. At the press conference, Stoner admitted that while all eyes be watching him on his home track, the result of the race will not be as significant as having already captured the World Championship itself. “I’m going to give it a go here at Phillip Island, and see what we can do, but I don’t think it’s going to have a huge impact compared to something else,” he said. “We can’t win every race we’re going to give it a go like every weekend, and see what happens. “I have the same motivation as at the other grands prix, but of course now I’ve won the championship which takes off a little bit of pressure, so now I can enjoy this and have a lot of fun.” Vermeulen also seemed extremely pleased to be back on home soil, and took the time to praise his Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team amid talk of finishing top-five in the championship. “We can’t win the championship now Casey’s wrapped that up, but our goal is focused on getting the bike right and doing the best that we can for the last few races,” he said. “We’ve come a long way in the past few years has improved immensely and our times have been great. “The bike’s getting better and better every time I ride it, they are bringing in new parts all the time and I’m just glad to be part of the team, and a number one here would be great.” More, from a press release issued by Dorna Communications: After a short break ahead of the final three Grands Prix of the 2007 MotoGP season, activity recommenced today at Phillip Island, the scene of this weekend’s GMC Australian Grand Prix. As always, there was plenty of things going on before tomorrow’s first free practice session at the breathtaking circuit, and the day began early for some riders as they took a trip to the Maru Koala and Fauna park. 250cc World Championship contender Andrea Dovizioso, fellow quarter litre racer Hiroshi Aoyama and British 125cc rider Bradley Smith all got up close with some of the symbols of Australia, coming into contact with the local wildlife in a morning visit to the facility, which is located close to the Phillip Island circuit. Four more lower cylinder class riders were also sampling some Aussie culture in the early afternoon. 250cc World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, who can retain his title this weekend depending on the performance of rival Dovizioso, was joined by Japan race winner Mika Kallio, 125cc title challenger Hector Faubel and Motegi victor Mattia Pasini for a demonstration of Aboriginal customs in a traditional ceremony. Didgeridoos and dancing were the order of the day in an intriguing lesson for the riders. The three home riders from the MotoGP class were all present in the pre-event press conference, answering questions from the worldwide media on their return to their local track. Newly crowned MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner, riding his first race since taking the title at Motegi, was accompanied by Chris Vermeulen and Anthony West as the home representatives, joined by the resurgent Loris Capirossi and last year’s winner in Australia, Marco Melandri. For Vermeulen, the day wasn’t finished quite yet. The Suzuki rider made a presentation of a new livery for his GSV-R in the garage after the press conference, unveiling a classy tribute design paying homage to MotoGP legend Barry Sheene’s XR-14 bike from the mid-70’s. Sheene was a mentor to Vermeulen, who took his first MotoGP podium at Phillip Island last year, and had relocated to Australia before his retirement from racing. The current fourth place challenger in the premier class will be running the blue and white livery for the entire weekend of his home Grand Prix, and will as always be using the Sheene ‘crossed seven’ as part of his number 71 design. Practice for the GMC Australian Grand Prix takes place tomorrow from 9am (local time) Casey Stoner “The last few weeks have been enjoyable; there’s been no pressure, no stress, and I can just start to enjoy the reception back home. People are really starting to take notice here in Australia. “Each race is as important as the last one, so I’m not taking it easy, just relaxing a bit more without having to think of the rest of the year”.