Aussies aim to reign in Spain

Australians Casey Stoner and Chris Vermeulen are determined to finish on a high in Sunday's final race of the 2009 MotoGP season at the Ricardo Tormo circuit outside Valencia.

Stoner, who arrives in Spain on the back of consecutive victories in Australia and Malaysia, appreciates what it takes to win in Valencia after taking the chequered flag last year.

To be able to cap off a season interrupted by illness with a hat-trick of victories, Stoner believes, would provide the ideal springboard for a dominant 2010 campaign.

"Valencia is a circuit I've always liked – it is tight and slow but surprisingly flowing and I think it's a good circuit for a MotoGP bike," said Stoner, who will claim second place on the championship standings behind 2009 world champion Valentino Rossi if the Australian should win and Jorge Lorenzo fails to finish.

"My Ducati has always run really well there and I've been on the pace for the past couple of seasons – in testing and in the races – so obviously we're hoping that trend continues, even though we will have to make a few small adjustments to the bike."

"We're finally at the end of the season and already looking forward to the next one, so if we can win this race then great, if not we'll try and finish the year with a podium and then start working towards next year."

For Vermeulen, however, there will be no next year.

The Suzuki rider is switching to Superbikes in 2010 so it's little wonder that he's aiming for a podium finish in Valencia.

And, as the only rider this season to have claimed points in every round, Vermeulen, who's placed 11th in the standings but only three points from seventh, believes he has a realistic chance to achieve his goal.

"I am totally focused on going out on a high at Valencia," said Vermeulen.

"This will be my last race in MotoGP – for at least a couple of years – and I want to make sure it is one that I can be proud of."

"I have scored points in every race this year and want to make the last one the highest points scoring one."

"I will certainly be going for a podium this weekend, I know that will be tough, but that's the target and one that I would really love to achieve."

In recent years the Ricardo Tormo Circuit has become the traditional venue for the championship curtain call and, at the same time, an opportunity to glimpse into the future as the teams begin their winter testing programme for the season ahead.

Measuring 4.005km, it is a slow and twisting circuit built within a stadium-style complex that makes it possible to see virtually any part of the circuit from any seat in the house.

Whilst on the one hand this makes it a great venue for the fans, the track layout is constantly forced back on itself, making for a series of tight corners separated by short straights that require plenty of low revs, short gear ratios and provide little opportunity to fully open the throttle.