Motorsport: Stoner plans his tribute

World Champion MotoGP rider Casey Stoner. Photo / AP

Newly crowned MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner says the best way to honour Marco Simoncelli is to try to ensure a thrilling season-ending race at Valencia tomorrow.

Simoncelli, one of the sport's rising stars, died in an accident at the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 23.

Stoner, who won his second world title when he captured his fifth straight Australian Grand Prix, is preparing for a tough weekend in Spain.

"It will be difficult to return to racing this weekend after Marco's terrible accident in Sepang, but I think it is the best thing we can do to honour him," the Australian said.

"We know we all play a risky game even if compared to the past the safety of our sport is much better.

Stoner has described the finale as the culmination of "an incredible season for us".

"We worked hard all year and, after clinching the title in Phillip Island, we are starting to look to 2012," Stoner said.

"After the race here in Valencia, we will have the two-day test on the 1000cc machine and then we can take a well-deserved break and reflect on the ups and downs of a very long, hard season.

"We will go out there this weekend and try to put on a good show for all the fans and especially in memory of Marco."

Simoncelli died when he lost control of his bike and veered across the path of American Colin Edwards and Italian Valentino Rossi on the second lap of the Malaysian race.

- AAP