121 replies to this topic

[jeze]

I was stunned today, and I reckon many with me, fellow fans included to hear about his decision to retire from the sport not even having turned 27 yet. Casey will leave a huge void to fill in MotoGP, there's no other rider who pushes bikes to the limit quite like he does and can do such extraordinary qualifying runs... like whenever they go to Aragón and Philip Island it's game over even before the race has begun.

I seriously doubt this really is THE end for him, though. At his age he might just need to take two or three years of the travelling circus and recharge himself with his family and he might change his mind and come back in the future if he decides he wants to do it. Pretty much doing a 'Kimi' if that happens. Kimi lost his joy in Formula One after all those years with McLaren and Ferrari and needed to do something else.

Will Casey win the title this year? Probably. Reach 40 wins? Most likely. A legend he is and we shall all salute him for avoiding peer pressure, making his own decisions and being his own man.

He's not likely to read this, but if he stumbled across the Autosport board I want him to know that he's a huge inspiration to me as a person and for being himself in a world that is so far removed from where he came from.

God bless you Casey!

[Atreiu]

A few years from now I'll get to say "I saw Stoner race. Did you?".

[Afterburner]

Haven't watched many MotoGP races but have to say that in the few I've seen, I've come to admire his style more than that of Rossi's. Sad to hear that he's going, and I'll probably follow every race this season if this is truly his last.

Edited for grammar.

Edited by Afterburner, 17 May 2012 - 19:33.

[Chubby_Deuce]

He's just a dude that races a bike, not a hero.

[jeze]

A few years from now I'll get to say "I saw Stoner race. Did you?".

That quote just entered my signature

[2ms]

He's just a dude that races a bike, not a hero.

He may be the best bike racer in history. You know, a Senna or whoever your favorite sport's best is.

[jeze]

He's just a dude that races a bike, not a hero.

He is an enigma though, a guy that just got his hands on the best bike and looked set to do a 'Doohan' when he suddenly steps out being in his mid 20's. That's something that people will remember and always think 'gosh' when they come to think of it. A bit like Éric Cantona retiring at 31 this.

[Atreiu]

hehe

[jeze]

He may be the best bike racer in history. You know, a Senna or whoever your favorite sport's best is.

Wouldn't go to such lengths maybe, but winning races on the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Ducatis really showed that this guy is a legend.

[hammibal]

Haven't watched many MotoGP races but have to say that in the few I've seen, I've come to admire his style more than that of Rossi's. Sad to hear that he's going, and I'll probably follow every race this season if this is truly his last.

Edited for grammar.

You make a good point, even though i watch all the races anyways, from now to the end of the season i'll be watching for posterity

[scheivlak]

He may be the best bike racer in history.

No way.

[Ellios]

he doesn't ride a MotoGP like anyone else I've ever seen

[beanoid]

He may be the best bike racer in history. You know, a Senna or whoever your favorite sport's best is.

OMG. Stop it. Did you only start watching in 2007?

He's very, very good, but "the best bike racer in history" doesn't give up before he's 27. Sorry. Because what he's doing is giving up, make no mistake.

[jeze]

OMG. Stop it. Did you only start watching in 2007?

He's very, very good, but "the best bike racer in history" doesn't give up before he's 27. Sorry. Because what he's doing is giving up, make no mistake.

He might be back one day. But let him take his time and a few years off and he may reconsider. Also losing the 6-7 million dollars per year into his bank account will surely mess things up in his head, duh?

[Ellios]

OMG. Stop it. Did you only start watching in 2007?

He's very, very good, but "the best bike racer in history" doesn't give up before he's 27. Sorry. Because what he's doing is giving up, make no mistake.

what's your take on it beanoid? I know you're an avid motorbike racing fan - why do you think he's given up?

[Skinnyguy]

No surprise, in fact the strange thing for me is that others keep around too long. Bikes are pretty dangerous if you start thinking about it, and once competition becomes routine, you start thinking. Some sports burn your mind quicker than your body, I have no experience at all, but motorbikes racing looks like that from the outside.

[Smile17]

It's great, retiring from the sport at your peak. He has certainly made a big statement by pulling this move. I admire him for placing his family on the first place (if that's what motivated him the most). Retiring at a young age will make his career look more fabulous. He had nothing more to achieve. I respect him immensely for this courageous and wise decision. He also had some interesting words about the 'new' direction MotoGP is heading in... so there seems to be an underlying reason too.

A 3th world title at the end of this season would be a 'dream' end of his career. This is how it needs to be done, you can't spend your whole life traveling around the world following this circus. I'm sure he has great plans for the future.

I've never been a Stoner fan. I think he doesn't even have the slightest bit of charisma. But surely one of the best riders of this motoGP era! Admirable move.

[IceSkyrim]

Does anybody know about the problem with his arm ?

Maybe he can go on due to physical issues, too.

[Ellios]

Does anybody know about the problem with his arm ?

Maybe he can go on due to physical issues, too.

he suffers from arm pump quite a lot - that's not something you can easily shake off, I don't think it gets progressively worse with age - but it is probably a factor in his decision

[F1Champion]

Very surprised at the decision, takes guts to walk away, can't help but think that losing Marco last season might have made a couple of riders reassess their positions. Casey mentioned before the start of the season that he didn't like the new CRT approach of MotoGP but I didn't believe him at the time. What can I say a big surprise. Whilst a Rossi fan you always had to admire the way Casey hustled a bike around the track.

[beanoid]

what's your take on it beanoid? I know you're an avid motorbike racing fan - why do you think he's given up?

I'm not as much a fan as I used to be, but my husband still works in the paddock. I've been much more enamored of F1 of late, TBH.

Anyway, I think he's mentally fragile. He is well known to be a bit difficult to handle on the PR front--in fact, Honda hired the guy either McLaren or Ferrari (can't remember which) used to try and get Kimi to cooperate to be his "minder" this year. I also think the combination of becoming a father and Simoncelli's death did him in, especially with all his talk about people being "dangerous" and so on.

He also doesn't like to train physically, so yeah, that might also be a factor.

Edited by beanoid, 17 May 2012 - 20:15.

[IceSkyrim]

he suffers from arm pump quite a lot - that's not something you can easily shake off, I don't think it gets progressively worse with age - but it is probably a factor in his decision

Thanks

Mystery illness

[krapmeister]

Very surprised to hear this but I doubt he will give up racing completely.

He did test a V8Supercar recently and was seen at Bathurst last year, so perhaps that's where his future lies...

[Boxerevo]

I will miss you Casey,but i am glad that i saw you racing.

Edited by Boxerevo, 17 May 2012 - 21:23.

[goldenboy]

really dissapointed from a selfish point of view but happy for the guy at the same time. seems he sometimes could be a bit rash with his decisions like refusing japan last year so early so hopefully he has thought it through. was a pleasure to watch him race, in particular the 125 and 250 years. helped me through my bayliss agony hehe. highlights for me was his debut pole, pretty much every race in 2007 and watching him win in qatarover breakfast beers on a small island in thailand.was moping around thinking i would miss the opening race and then a sports bar appeared and casey took care of the rest! apologies for spelling etc am on a crappy phone

[Wander]

I think it's a good decision. If he doesn't want to do it anymore, he shouldn't. Besides, he's clearly the best of the current riders, what else does he have to prove?

Edited by Wander, 17 May 2012 - 22:24.

[Les]

Well shock news but hopefully 2 wheels loss can be 4 wheels gain at some point.

[ctjet]

Sad day for 2 wheeled motor sport.

Ill be heading down to PI to watch him race for the last time, which is a sad though.

Good luck to him anyway, with nothing left to prove, he deserves the break

[SCUDmissile]

A bit of a wringer, and not the easiest driver to be a fan of, but his talent is undoubted. Casey will be missed.

[maximilian]

Put him in Massa's seat now!

[Wander]

Put him in Massa's seat now!

[zoombie]

OMG. Stop it. Did you only start watching in 2007?

He's very, very good, but "the best bike racer in history" doesn't give up before he's 27. Sorry. Because what he's doing is giving up, make no mistake.

Even at the end, his haters still hate.
Give up? What is he giving up? Multimillion dollars contract? He's not struggling like your hero Rossi is.

[SeanValen]

I would of liked a season with Rossi and Stoner being competitive and going for wins. I haven't watched enough of motogp in the past, so I haven't seen Rossi enough live winning. I don't want Stoner to retire, but understand if he does.

[TheBunk]

Gonna miss seeing him tame impossible bikes. And demolish everyone at Phillip Island.

[smoothcrim]

He is such a whiner.............good riddance.

[BMW4life]

I've never been a Stoner fan. I think he doesn't even have the slightest bit of charisma. But surely one of the best riders of this motoGP era! Admirable move.

Well put, not a fan at all, but the lad can flat out ride. Glad I got to enjoy his brilliance while it lasted. I want to say that next year will be exciting again, but who's gonna challenge Jorge on that Yamaha? Pedrosa?

Opportunity for Rossi to get on a competitive bike, but I'd be surprised if the hired him. Here's my forecast:

Jorge to Honda, Rossi back to Yamaha. Who cares about the rest?

[hammibal]

Well put, not a fan at all, but the lad can flat out ride. Glad I got to enjoy his brilliance while it lasted. I want to say that next year will be exciting again, but who's gonna challenge Jorge on that Yamaha? Pedrosa?

Opportunity for Rossi to get on a competitive bike, but I'd be surprised if the hired him. Here's my forecast:

Jorge to Honda, Rossi back to Yamaha. Who cares about the rest?

I read an article that if Stoner retires then Honda will be looking to Lorenzo to replace him as they consider the two best riders to be Stoner and Lorenzo

[RealRacing]

Every rider in MotoGP will have something to prove until they equal Rossi's record. They may be great drivers, like Stoner is, but "nothing to prove" won't cut it...

[BMW4life]

Even at the end, his haters still hate.
Give up? What is he giving up? Multimillion dollars contract? He's not struggling like your hero Rossi is.

Touche...!

[AMG FAN]

not a fan of him but he is a talent,one of the best among the grid..boy Jorge is gonna cruise to titles for the next few years,no disrespect but only Stoner could challenge Jorge imo,and you better believe that Jorge won't let him retire as the Champion...it would be an interesting season this one.

[Alfisti]

The problem for Lorenzo is that a CC in a vacuum is diminished, u need your Agassi to your Sampras so to speak.

[marchi-91]

Even at the end, his haters still hate.
Give up? What is he giving up? Multimillion dollars contract? He's not struggling like your hero Rossi is.

the funny thing, Stoner has been the best rider in moto gp since his first world title. If he had had that Yamaha or even the Honda, nobody would have had a look in. Of course all of this while having anemia amongst other things. Which may also explain his arm pump issues. He's easily right up there with the best that has ever ridden 'imo the best' and I do not doubt for one second that if he stayed on, he'd be a 5 or 6 time Moto GP world champion by the time he retired.



I also expect him back in two years time.

[Italiano Tifoso]

His reasoning for departing is lets just say interesting. Big fan of the rider and the skill level (he is the fastest guy out there without a doubt at the moment) but as an individual he is not someone exceptional, he hasn't contributed to the sport like Rossi has or many other personalities before him.

His sign off was a massive swipe at the media for not understanding his medical issues and that to me is a sign of weakness as he should rise above such criticism like many champions have and continue to do.

I will now await the barrage of criticism for sharing this view but i think you have to see the difference between the talented rider and the individual without the helmet on.

As a rider, phenominal. As a person off the bike and value he brought to the sport itself, nothing exceptional at all.
He has taken more from the sport than what he has given back to it in my view.

[Alfisti]

He's just a bush kid, Ok his in his mid 20's now but you can't help but feel he's gonna bugger off to somewhere remote and just ride bikes and watch the roos pass by.

[Wander]

not a fan of him but he is a talent,one of the best among the grid..boy Jorge is gonna cruise to titles for the next few years,no disrespect but only Stoner could challenge Jorge imo,and you better believe that Jorge won't let him retire as the Champion...it would be an interesting season this one.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. New talent is on its way and some of the current riders can up their game. Only problem is that there are only 4 bikes capable of winning. Unless you're Stoner.

Edited by Wander, 18 May 2012 - 02:10.

[Zippel]

He's just a bush kid, Ok his in his mid 20's now but you can't help but feel he's gonna bugger off to somewhere remote and just ride bikes and watch the roos pass by.

Many don't understand this aspect as they haven't experienced growing up in Country Australia. It's a long way from the rest of the world when you consider how far Stoner has climbed the ladder to be the best rider of his generation. He and his parents sacrificed a lot to travel abroad and compete with the best on strange shores. And this has most likely been a major factor as it why Stoner doesn't sit comfortably with the media and those wanting the equivalent of a court jester racing motor bikes.

Its very different from other riders who have grown up in Europe all their lives. I grew up in the the Australian country and moved to the city and there are moments when I still feel I don't fit in despite living here all my adult life. No doubt Stoner feels the same situated in Europe.

[marchi-91]

Many don't understand this aspect as they haven't experienced growing up in Country Australia. It's a long way from the rest of the world when you consider how far Stoner has climbed the ladder to be the best rider of his generation. He and his parents sacrificed a lot to travel abroad and compete with the best on strange shores. And this has most likely been a major factor as it why Stoner doesn't sit comfortably with the media and those wanting the equivalent of a court jester racing motor bikes.

Its very different from other riders who have grown up in Europe all their lives. I grew up in the the Australian country and moved to the city and there are moments when I still feel I don't fit in despite living here all my adult life. No doubt Stoner feels the same situated in Europe.

I don't understand why people think he cares about the media. They've been so quick to write him off and suggest that he was a one hit wonder who had the benefit of everything in 07, only now for his biggest critics to eat their words and Rossi to get a reality check of where he actually stands as a rider.

I'd heavily argue that Stoners Motor Cross background is what makes him so good. It's one thing to ride on a closed circuit, its another to do it where Casey learnt, where you race on 20km long laps and conditions can change dramatically each lap. That adaptability is probably why he was so good on the Duc. He scored 13 wins in 08/09/10 on a crap bikes that shouldn't have won and yet people still bring him down. No wonder he doesn't give a **** anymore. Media is too busy blowing sun shine up Rossi's arse even though the two riders fighting for the title are better than he ever was.

Edited by marchi-91, 18 May 2012 - 05:04.

[Italiano Tifoso]

To be clear i dont think he should care about the media but he clearly does because he spent half his time announcing his retirement bagging the media for how they treated him.

He shouldn't even give them a mention as it shows they got to him and were a factor in his decision to retire.

I think claiming Rossi is the equivalent of a court jester is a bit much and somewhat disrespectful; the guy is likeable and interects with the public and the media in a positive way and has been an absolute asset for the sport.

It is true that Stoner is from a different upbringing and very reserved but the fact remains he did very little for the sport in general but obviously did a great deal in continuing the tradition of great Australian premier class riders.

His dirt bike background is without a doubt the biggest asset he had in being able to wrestle and get results on sub standard machines and his feel on the bike is almost without equal; but that is where it ends for me anyway.

Stoner never felt like someone you could connect with as a person and in my chance meetings with him and other riders during Phillip Island race weekends he was the least engaging and interested in the public.

So to Stoner, congratulations on a stellar career, you are a brilliant talent and i only wish you could have shown us more of you as a person and more on track.

Edited by Italiano Tifoso, 18 May 2012 - 05:08.

[Italiano Tifoso]

Media is too busy blowing sun shine up Rossi's arse even though the two riders fighting for the title are better than he ever was.

There goes your credibility!

Rossi's race craft is without peer. You will find it hard to get an expert in this field stating otherwise. Sure others may have the raw qualy pace but as race brains go no one comes close.

[Reinmuster]

I knew there's something behind the #27. He will retire at the age of 27.