Stoner can win on my bike: Doohan
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8234233
By Ben Horne
Motorcycling great Mick Doohan says Casey Stoner won't be fazed by his weekend crash and believes the Australian still has a golden chance to win this year's MotoGP.
Doohan, who spent his entire career on a Honda, says Stoner has made the right decision to rejoin the company from Ducati, and has what it takes to challenge Jorge Lorenzo in 2011.
Stoner was taken out by Valentino Rossi in last weekend's Spanish grand prix, losing his championship lead as a result.
But Doohan said that after just two rounds, the incident will only affect the 25 year-old's chances this year if he lets it get to him.
"That's right. I'm sure neither one of them would be thinking about it anywhere as hard as the press are writing about it, so it's just get on with the next event and focus on that to get the best result," Doohan told AAP at a Laureus Sports initiative with Indigenous kids on Thursday in Sydney.
"It really is just a racing incident. I don't make anything more of it than what it really was. Both of those guys are known for having a go, you don't win races following people, you've actually got to be in front to win.
"I know I've taken people out, I've been taken out and I'm sure Casey's been involved the other way around as well, so it's inevitable when you are racing in close company with people that those things are going to happen."
Lorenzo was a runaway winner of the championship on his Yamaha in 2010, but Doohan is adamant Stoner lost confidence on his Ducati, and is now capable of challenging the Spaniard again because he's back on the more consistent Honda.
Doohan argued that Stoner's Ducati is the primary reason for the four-year drought since he last won the MotoGP title in 2007.
Stoner's start to the year has seen him win the season-opening event and take two pole positions.
Doohan said it's now up to the Queenslander to turn the solid platform into a championship victory.
" I think he only needs to finish ahead of him (Lorenzo) in half a dozen races and he can make up those points ... but consistency is the key," he said.
"Lorenzo last year - I'm pretty sure he was on the podium at most events and that's what he needs to do.
"The way he had to ride that Ducati ... when a bike's not right it's easy to crash on it. You don't have feel, you tell yourself 'well ok, that's as far as I want to push it', but you tend to question your ability and the bike's ability.
"The Honda is more consistent and probably giving him more feedback. Unless you're on one of those (Honda or Yamaha) it's hard to race for the championship.
"At least he's on the Honda so I think he's got a good chance of a title."
.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8234233
By Ben Horne
Motorcycling great Mick Doohan says Casey Stoner won't be fazed by his weekend crash and believes the Australian still has a golden chance to win this year's MotoGP.
Doohan, who spent his entire career on a Honda, says Stoner has made the right decision to rejoin the company from Ducati, and has what it takes to challenge Jorge Lorenzo in 2011.
Stoner was taken out by Valentino Rossi in last weekend's Spanish grand prix, losing his championship lead as a result.
But Doohan said that after just two rounds, the incident will only affect the 25 year-old's chances this year if he lets it get to him.
"That's right. I'm sure neither one of them would be thinking about it anywhere as hard as the press are writing about it, so it's just get on with the next event and focus on that to get the best result," Doohan told AAP at a Laureus Sports initiative with Indigenous kids on Thursday in Sydney.
"It really is just a racing incident. I don't make anything more of it than what it really was. Both of those guys are known for having a go, you don't win races following people, you've actually got to be in front to win.
"I know I've taken people out, I've been taken out and I'm sure Casey's been involved the other way around as well, so it's inevitable when you are racing in close company with people that those things are going to happen."
Lorenzo was a runaway winner of the championship on his Yamaha in 2010, but Doohan is adamant Stoner lost confidence on his Ducati, and is now capable of challenging the Spaniard again because he's back on the more consistent Honda.
Doohan argued that Stoner's Ducati is the primary reason for the four-year drought since he last won the MotoGP title in 2007.
Stoner's start to the year has seen him win the season-opening event and take two pole positions.
Doohan said it's now up to the Queenslander to turn the solid platform into a championship victory.
" I think he only needs to finish ahead of him (Lorenzo) in half a dozen races and he can make up those points ... but consistency is the key," he said.
"Lorenzo last year - I'm pretty sure he was on the podium at most events and that's what he needs to do.
"The way he had to ride that Ducati ... when a bike's not right it's easy to crash on it. You don't have feel, you tell yourself 'well ok, that's as far as I want to push it', but you tend to question your ability and the bike's ability.
"The Honda is more consistent and probably giving him more feedback. Unless you're on one of those (Honda or Yamaha) it's hard to race for the championship.
"At least he's on the Honda so I think he's got a good chance of a title."
.
