Casey Stoner To Retire!!!

[mph911]

This is a bit of a shock for a rider in his prime and at the age of 26.

[Flieger]

Right after joining a competetive Honda team? Or are they not competetive anymore?

[mph911]

Stoner has won the last 2 races and is leading the championship...
He says he has lost the passion and is not enjoying racing anymore. He also is not happy with the direction MotoGP is going.

[Zeke]

Retire= euphemism.

[javadog]

I think he's looking at the "dumbing down" of the series that's bound to happen and thinking he doesn't want to be a part of it. The bikes are going to become more like superbikes and less like prototypes.

It's a shame, but with him gone the rest of the guys will have an easier time winning. Right now it looks like only Lorenzo has a shot at beating him.

JR

[deanp]

I'm growing increasing bored with MotoGP, limited passing, seems like once the front three positions are settled the majority of the race is a procession. Dovi and Crutchlow have have the best 'racing' so far this season, always close and battling one another. Such a contrast to what we're getting in World Superbike now.

Will be sorry to see Casey go - met him in the paddock at Laguna on his way to taking that first title with Ducati. Saw him in the parking, walking away from his car in the AM. Had a nice couple minute chat with him, and he had Adriana take a photo so my wife could get in the shot as well. He couldn't have been nicer.

Have to think he's disenfranchised with where the series is headed... and not sure I disagree.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by deanp

I'm growing increasing bored with MotoGP, limited passing, seems like once the front three positions are settled the majority of the race is a procession. Dovi and Crutchlow have have the best 'racing' so far this season, always close and battling one another. Such a contrast to what we're getting in World Superbike now.

Will be sorry to see Casey go - met him in the paddock at Laguna on his way to taking that first title with Ducati. Saw him in the parking, walking away from his car in the AM. Had a nice couple minute chat with him, and he had Adriana take a photo so my wife could get in the shot as well. He couldn't have been nicer.

Have to think he's disenfranchised with where the series is headed... and not sure I disagree.

+1....The best racing right now is Moto2. Man I wish they would bring those guys to Laguna. Good for him to retire on his own terms and I'm thinking another championship to take with him.

[dlockhart]

I don't feel too bad for the young fella. He has made a bunch of money, won at the highest level and can get out without hobbling around like a old man. And he still has a pretty hot ride at home.

[vas930]

Good for him.
Nothing left to prove.
Young and healthy is the best time to give it away.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by dlockhart

I don't feel too bad for the young fella. He has made a bunch of money, won at the highest level and can get out without hobbling around like a old man.

I agree. I still beleive Simoncelli's death plays on his mind.

They did it tough though;

Looking back, Stoner recalled: "My family had to sell everything for me - our house and land in Australia to go to England and enable me to start road racing. And of course it was a massive upheaval and trip for me but it was a pretty big deal for my parents as well.
As well as living in Wigan, the Stoners set up camp for nearly two years in the garden of former MotoGP rider Alberto Puig, who has been responsible for bringing through the likes of Dani Pedrosa, Toni Elias and Stoner.

[DanielDudley]

Ya gotta listen to that little voice, because sometimes it only speaks once.

[D911SC]

He is rumored to be making a move to Aussie V8 Supercars. It's all over the papers here.

I guess we will find out later this year.

[Jim Bremner]

When you question pulling the helmet on your head it's really hard to focus on turn 1. I miss club level Kart racing....