Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Given Stoner wasn't even Ducati's first choice for 2007, and that no one saw the blitz he put on the entire field out of the gate at Qatar 2007, it was a far better season.
Everyone assumed Rossi would pickup with the championship winning after having that unfortunate luck at Valencia. I'm sure the only person on the planet who believed Casey could do something on that Ducati was Colin Stoner, especially with the negotiating win bonuses. Ducati agreed because really, who thought they'd be paying anything out?
Sure Stoner showed promise on the LCR, but given everything was Rossi-centric, everyone else was written off.
Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Umm.. I don't even think 2007 was close to as good as his 2011. 2007 might be a better lifetime movie, but not as dominating championship season.
So you post in Reddit then Shovel?
Saw those very words expressed in a few different forums
Knocking back 20 million US and being weak mentally ............... .... yeah that is the job for me.
The arguments about Stoner being mentally weak are (IMO) a complete fallacy and just a further reason to try to belittle the guy because he left the sport whilst in his prime ......... kind of jealousy at what is being missed, what he could have bought so to speak
But, it should also be remembered that he has permanent back and neck injuries from the sport which when you have chronic injuries they will reach a point where you need to make a decision as to whether you continue.
He also left in his prime and on his terms many riders do not get that luxury and all whilst rejecting a confirmed 20 million US offer for 1 season.
If that is mentally weak that I guess we have differing definitions as the money alone would have bought the majority of the field back for one more year.
If Stoner is weak in any aspects it is the his naivety and lack of worldliness in terms of why he raced and what his perceptions of the expectations, against the expectations of the sport as it has become.
Bit the same.
Whilst I reckon his 2007 season was something else I also look at it as the first year of the new 800cc era whereas 2011 all teams had developed the bikes, things were more competitive and yet he blew everyone into the weeds and again, in the first year on the machine.
Being honest though, my favourite year of his was 2012 as he raced, won, competed, fell and retired ............. a retirement that still brings debate today.
Why the favourite year - well I always enjoy when an athlete can choose the time of their leaving and moreso when they are at the top of their game, sure it leaves a hole of 'if only' but at the same time, I respect the decision as them making the right call for themselves.
Knocking back 20 million US and being weak mentally ............... .... yeah that is the job for me.
The arguments about Stoner being mentally weak are (IMO) a complete fallacy and just a further reason to try to belittle the guy because he left the sport whilst in his prime ......... kind of jealousy at what is being missed, what he could have bought so to speak
But, it should also be remembered that he has permanent back and neck injuries from the sport which when you have chronic injuries they will reach a point where you need to make a decision as to whether you continue.
He also left in his prime and on his terms many riders do not get that luxury and all whilst rejecting a confirmed 20 million US offer for 1 season.
If that is mentally weak that I guess we have differing definitions as the money alone would have bought the majority of the field back for one more year.
If Stoner is weak in any aspects it is the his naivety and lack of worldliness in terms of why he raced and what his perceptions of the expectations, against the expectations of the sport as it has become.
Exactly. the thought of having to battle Rossi and others again for another year was overwhelming to him. He was so frightened, he turned down 20 million. He could have made many charitable contributions with that sort of money.
Nice troll.
And FWIW, he does make a number of charitable contributions with the money that he has made, invested and makes from his investments, and he does it away from the prying eyes of the 'unbiased' media eyes of the paddock press
As for him being frightened, possibly but moreso due to the fact as reported by Krop that he has serious neck damage and can at times struggle to turn his head etc - personally, he gets to grow up with his family and do that which he now enjoys .......... ride bikes fast when he wants, fish, socialise, RC cars, holiday etc ........... 30 years old and little commitments - .... yeah !
Sorry you got it before I edited.
Mental edge or mental drive/motivation?
To me, it is clear he lost the motivation and rather than hang on for a paycheck he walked ............ and that is why I admire his decision (and said years back that I hope he never returns to race full time as for me, once retired stay retired)
The other aspect with motivation can well be that if you cannot motivate, you may not focus and if you do not focus you may become a danger to others in that you may make on track decisions that are unsafe or may lead to incidents. Focus and motivation are the drivers at this level, lose it, you lose your competitive edge (IMO)
I trust this is a further display of your new found senses of humour.
I thought Rossi was wrongly written off for his performances at Ducati given he had won a race probably still riding injured at the end of 2010, but terrifying to a Repsol Honda rider his performances at Ducati were not, particularly a rider who had won 23 races for Ducati.
At this stage (and forever for Stoner of course) I personally would only compare either Stoner or MM with Rossi for ability/performance at their absolute peak, I did not bring either into this discussion.
Ok fair point, but did he lose the motivation because other interests were at play (family, bocci ball, soccer) or was it because he was fighting against his own inert personality that is better suited as a test rider than a racer. Not saying that's a bad thing, just perhaps a reality.
You can put JLo in as I nearly did, I was being "numberist" because I don't think he hit double figures, and he had less people to dominate (no fault of his) given Rossi broke his leg. Sure he hardly made a mistake all year.
Stoner utterly destroyed the field in his penultimate race with a badly damaged ankle, I think he was mentally sound alright.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
I think Stoners 2007 was better than his 2011 simply because of what he was on, but do keep in mind the cancellation of the Sepang event because of Marco. Him and Pedrosa had dominated proceedings up to that point. That could easily have been another win and 25 points onto an already impressive 2011 numbers. Lorenzo's 2010 season was redonkulous but short on wins compared to Stoners 2011 and Marquez's 2014, which to me was the most dominant season in the modern era hands down. 10 wins in a row isnt supposed to be possible in an era of bikes that are so closely matched, with the most talented group of riders in the history of the sport. What we saw that year is something none of us will ever see as long as we live. Lorenzo ripping off 4 in a row last year was insane, especially doing it when it had to be done, now think about winning 6 more in a row.
I believe he lost motivation because the sport could no longer offer him that which had made it exciting for him in the years past - he no longer had fun riding the bikes
He is a racer, he wants to race and does not go for the 'ownership' of the athlete that is so prevalent in society today as he is a genuinely very private person and yet the sport now requires so much of the athlete involved. This with the way the sport was evolving away from prototypes and into a more 'controlled environment' type of situation, as well as the DORNA machinations that we have all read about I feel simply made him lose the fun factor.
Many have been critical that he would not smile or was unapproachable but I know a number of people (officials/Australian racers etc) who tell a different story and in some cases, they say that now the smile cannot be wiped from his face, he is far more relaxed and approachable.
I think it is like all careers, there comes a time when you go - ...., this is making me tired - and look elsewhere.
Sure I suspect that he wanted his kids to grow up in a solid environment in terms of schooling and not travelling so much and as a driven family guy I suspect that he would have been retired far sooner than most anyway
Joined Aug 2009
1K Posts | 328+
Vancouver
That's not what i'm talking about, though. I'm talking about the mental toughness and tenacity to do that sort of thing and more, race after race after race. To put up with the mental aspect of the sport that doesn't involve racing (media, fans, mind games from the competition, corporate responsibilities, team responsibilities), not just riding with a bum ankle.
