Successful surgery for champ Stoner

SYDNEY — Reigning world champion Casey Stoner had successful surgery on his right ankle, his team said Friday, with the Australian hoping to be fit for the final races of the season. Stoner suffered torn ligaments and fractures to his ankle, tibia and fibula in a practice accident at Indianapolis a fortnight ago but still lined up for the race and finished fourth. But he missed Sunday’s Czech GP at Brno after being advised to have urgent surgery. “Doctors are pleased with how the operation went and now must wait during this initial recuperation period to see how the ankle is healing,” Honda said in a statement. — AFP