Here in lies the problem of perception, devotion and allegiance
This brings me to the inevitable to balance things out, especially considering Arrib's rather well-written piece on his views on Mr Rossi, all of which come to no surprise to me and many others here no doubt.
Well do people really 'Hate' Casey Stoner? I would say yes, just as some also hate Valentino Rossi. Though it may surprise some that IMO the reason for this hate for both are actually similar........let me explain.
Casey Stoner in a lot of ways struggled to make it in Motogp, or should I say his parents did. Packing up their life and selling their property in OZ to chase a dream-for their son, who at the time would have had very little 'real' comprehension of the sacrifice being made. And the camper trips across Europe to go and race Motorcycles would certainly seem to most early teens to be a fantastic adventure, even though a lot claim he was 'roughing it'. I'm sure that any individual who ever showed promise in any discipline or field would give anything to have parents like the Stoners, and this is to be envied. And Envy inspires Hate.....
Just as Valentino Rossi's ascension into 125cc championships in Italy, then on the world stage, was heavily influenced by his Fathers connections, and of course the incredible promise he showed as a rider. Once again any aspiring rider would love to have a ex-250cc GP rider as a Father, who not only encouraged but paved the way for his son's shot at the big time. This is to be envied, and Envy inspires Hate.......
Now from the outset it was clear that Casey Stoner was not good at talking to the press or making public statements, this is easily proven back in 2003 at Phillip Island during the live telecast of the GP's Stoner was a special guest talking with Daryl Beattie, Greg rust and Mick Doohan. The only part of this interview that resonates with me, and sure a lot of others, are Casey's whiny, whinging comments about the state of the sand traps at Australia's premier racetrack (whinging that would become synonymous with Stoner and various Racetracks around the world). Now far from being constructive criticism, these remarks were the verbal diarrhea of a spoilt child. Albeit the comments were referencing an important issue, but the way in which they were delivered was pathetic and made me wonder how this young kid was already so 'distorted'. Now, at this point, many around young Mr Stoner could no doubt see the makings of a PR nightmare, maybe some tried to fix the problem-who knows, all we know is this has never improved. I disagree that people dislike Stoner for being an introvert, they dislike him for being a .........
As with Valentino Rossi, who being the complete opposite PR wise, has never had an issue dealing with the press, always says what he wants and skews it in a likeable way. Even when addressing issues of safety, Rossi gets his point across very well. The clown antics in complete juxtaposition of the behind the scenes political power and general 'clout', whilst seeming like a Jeckal and Hyde type trait which makes him appear like a ........, leaves Rossi open for people to dislike him. Rossi has made some monumental bungles also when talking to the press, the public outburst on Tobacco money, whilst still to this day is funding his racing was probably the largest. Not too mention the rider slurs, particularly with Stoner, Biaggi and Gibbers. For some, this is arrogant, ........ like behavior. Sounds familiar to a lot of Stoners comments on Rossi's Ducati woes.........peas in a pot.
Stoner's problems upon his ascension to the premier class in 2006 were fairly obvious to the casual observer, however we didn't here too much publically because he was a relative unknown and not making any real inroads in the title chase. Behind the scenes was apparently a much different story, temper tantrums and abuse of his crew and team owner-and key supporter Lucio Checinelo were par for the course. Stoner was a straight talker alright, far too straight and his behavior once again comes across looking rather spolit child like, completely understandable as he was a spolit child.
Fast forward to 2007, Stoner's departure from LCR opens the door to Ducati, and a revolutionary (with hindsight not at all) new formula-with stunningly good new Bridgestones and a very quick duck. Stoner's woe's with the press now went on steroids, constantly justifying that it was him, not the bike nor the tyres, beating the worlds best-and beating them very well. While a lot of the world looked on and saw the Ducati romping past its opposition on the huge straights like they were in a different class altogether, and didn't see deterioration in lap-times with Bridgestones new compounds not 'going off' as was the case in the past. And of course the fuel limit ushered in brand new electronics, which seemed to most to be allowing younger riders to compete with far more ease than in the past. All of these circumstances, and more so 2008-2009-2010 and indeed 2011 led many to conclude that their assumptions of 2007 were correct. And Laguna Seca 2008 proved to be Stoners 'Everest' of PR nightmares. An event which 'polarized' views around the motorcycle racing world. After what was, one of the races of the decade, Casey proceeded to act like a complete ........ with one of the most poor displays of sportsmanship ever IMO. A display for which he had to publically apologize for afterwards. Whilst the race was not in his control, his behavior was.
2009 and the illness, which was IMO grossly miss-managed PR wise yet again. And we had Stoner's amazing performance in Parc Ferme at Catalunya, something for which we are accustomed to seeing post a defeat. One must concede that riding the Ducati is certainly a challenge, why did they not just stretcher Casey to the Medical tent? It certainly seemed necessary, but he made it to the podium and his interview to explain the defeat-leading many detractors to invent the theory that Rossi was just far too strong regardless of any illness that season. Whatever the reasons for the lack of correct diagnosis, and management of Stoner's health, many believe that the illness was never correctly explained (at the time). We started to see the 'Granpa Simpson' (thanks rog
) walks into the pits and the flailing of arms to his Ducati Team, again almost understandable considering the bike he was on, but once again 'fuel to the ........ theory'. In a season which ended in an extremely embarrassing warm up lap off.
As with Rossi, in 2010 with the shoulder and leg injuries polarizing his detractors and fans in ways never seen before. The Shoulder injury started off as bit of a mystery, with lesser performances culminating in Jorge and in some cases Dani beating the reigning champ quite easily, whilst we didn't see the 'oscar winning' type performances ala Casey in Parc Ferme, there was a lot of mention of it by Rossi in the press, leading many detractors to question its authenticity, and invent the theory that Jorge was just far too strong regardless of any injury....sounding familiar.....
Rossi's move to Ducati was the biggest mistake in modern Motogp....bar none. This was called at the time, by many including myself and continues to be highly evident. Casey Stoner certainly has enjoyed it, and has enjoyed the public digs at Rossi ever since, much in the same way Rossi use to dig at him and others. Only Jerez 2011 was 'over the top' and tattooed the '........' label on Stoner's forehead for a great majority. The jumping over the fence, geering and waving one lap after, and then the utterly ridiculous comments in the Pits were not received well by the press or the majority of fans, comments made all the worse as Stoner was far more hypocritical having just got off the Ducati-knowing its obvious and fundamental flaws, and now riding the sublime (2011) Honda. Rossi's ambition must have been off the rictor scale, as the talent he displayed dragging the duck through most of the field in the wet before losing the front was immense. Whatever the case, Stoner's behavior was very public, very poor, very immature and extremely hypocritical.
Then on to France, and Casey's ongoing war for space on track in FP with almost the entire Motogp field came to a dramatic head with his physical abuse of Randy Depuniet at speed. Probably the most ....... display I have ever seen by a professional rider. I actually don't have a balancing argument for Rossi on this one, nor do I have a balance for Stoners premature retirement this season, which as with the press conference he gave and his reasons, once again cements for many his spolit brat like way of putting things-which ultimately and rather ironically has lead to most of the hatred he experiences from fans and media alike.....
Do I hate Casey Stoner? No. I cannot hate a guy who was born with so much talent for riding a motorcycle. I do dislike him a lot and funnily enough as expanded on above it's for very similar reasons that many people dislike Rossi.......it must be something to do with the oddities of the personalities of the worlds elite sportspeople........Rossi detractors claim he is an insincere clown who has manipulated his way through the press and the public to preferential treatment, which has resulted in the majority of his race results....I'm sure for many they would like to see him stripped of most of his world titles as they were in their opinion 'illegitimately gained'. Stoner's detractors claim that he is a PR clown who's unsportsmanlike behavior should not only be penalized, but removed from the sport completely. I disagree with both. Yes Stoner is a ........, and yes Rossi is an insincere clown. But without the both of them this sport would have been very, very boring in the last 5 years or so......we don't just need racing, we need personalities...warts and all.
