MotoGP championship contender Jorge Lorenzo believes that his rival Casey Stoner's enforced absence through illness is a disappointment for the sport.
The Spaniard, who is aiming to bounce back in this weekend's Czech Grand Prix after his crash at Donington, says that he will miss racing against the Ducati rider.
"For me it is not good news that Casey can't ride in the next three races because to fight with him is always exciting," Lorenzo told the MotoGP website. "He is very talented and he has a very brave attitude.
"It's disappointing for MotoGP to lose this rider."
Lorenzo added that while he hopes to get back to winning ways at Brno this weekend, he believes that it will be difficult to overhaul championship leader and team-mate Valentino Rossi in the title race now.
"The championship is very, very hard to win it because Valentino has 25 points advantage and also he has the experience, to fight with me," said Lorenzo. "Maybe I don't have enough experience but we have some little possibilities to win it so we will try."