White knight … Casey Stoner has fans in high places. Photo: Getty Images THE INSIDE LINECasey Stoner has been tagged the best rider in MotoGP – better even than superstar Valentino Rossi – by former Ducati World Superbike team manager Davide Tardozzi, who is now in charge of BMW’s World Superbike offensive.”Ducati has the best rider in the championship, Casey Stoner – and I say that with no fear of being misinterpreted,” Tardozzi said. “The new regulations that have significantly reduced the amount of testing will also favour him; he only needs one lap to be able to go quickly.”The praise comes as a timely boost for the 2007 world champion, whose 2009 season was wracked by a debilitating illness. The Australian star reports he is now fit as a fiddle due in part to a lactose-free diet, and is raring to go this season.”I’m fine and I feel great,” said Stoner, adding that he has been able to train at full tilt without operations or lingering injuries.Stoner is also pleased with technical progress with his Ducati. Traction and handling have been aided by the new ‘big bang’ firing order that the engineers have been working on. The bike is tamer now with less of a tendency to rear up on its back wheel.Stoner expects a tough season from his main Yamaha and Honda rivals. “Valentino Rossi is still the man to beat because he is the world champion and he’s an extraordinary rider. [Jorge] Lorenzo and Dani [Pedrosa] will also be there – they are both fast and I’m sure their motivation is higher than ever.”Stoner also anticipates his own teammate Nicky Hayden will be fast this season after a “difficult and unlucky first season with the team”.VALE ORAN PARKThe promised big-bang nostalgia-laced race meeting to see off Oran Park Raceway into history isn’t happening, but instead we’re getting a two-day club meeting squeezing as many categories as is possible into the program.Admission to next weekend’s finale is $10 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday, with everyone under 16 free.The fun, undulating Narellan circuit, which opened in 1962 and popular with spectators due to its great viewing, is about to be swallowed up by housing. Its demise leaves Sydney with just one permanent racing/driver training facility – Eastern Creek Raceway.Tony Perich, the director of the Leppington Pastoral Company which owned and ran Oran Park for many years,…

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