Stoner back to racing!

michaelm · Apr 7, 2015

J4rn0 said:
What Suppo says is that he talked to Stoner who would have liked it, but considering that he doesn't know that track, and the level is so high now, and that they already had a disappointing result at Losail, and that the fans would be happy but would also expect top performance from him, etc etc. --- all this considered, together with the need to keep MM concentrated on what matters, they opted for no.

That makes sense, and revelas something new: after all he said, now that he is well rested, Casey Stoner wouldn't mind to race again. Probably not a championship, but one or two races. If this is true, it means only one thing: that he retired too early, and a comeback cannot be ruled out; probably in more relaxed circumstances, when Marquez hs a safe position in the championship, or who knows, with another manufacturer? Where there is a desire, a way can be found.

Interesting. I had dismissed any prospect of him returning and had no real view concerning any possibility of this, but I have to admit I would like to see him race again if he rekindled his desire to do so. The reaction on crashnet perhaps indicates why he might not.

Imo at his peak he would have been competitive for pace if not ferocity with MM.

Him riding these 2 races would have had no prospect of a good result for everyone imo though, as Suppo and he seem to have realised. Anything short of top 5, and perhaps even 4th or 5th, would provoke trenchant criticism. If he was really fast, it would likely destabilise one current contracted Honda rider in Pedrosa, and possibly might distract MM, although even I don't believe he could seriously threaten MM in a wild card ride, except perhaps at PI.

J4rn0 · Apr 7, 2015

I think he could still be competitive with anybody for a fast lap (on the well known Honda and at a track he knows, so probably not Austin), but a full race? That requires serious body conditioning.

Maybe the Suzuka 8 hours is meant for that purpose -- check his race fitness and do some training. Endurance certainly isn't the kind of racing he likes, or which he's especially good at.

Keshav · Apr 7, 2015

michaelm said:
Interesting. I had dismissed any prospect of him returning and had no real view concerning any possibility of this, but I have to admit I would like to see him race again if he rekindled his desire to do so. The reaction on crashnet perhaps indicates why he might not.

Imo at his peak he would have been competitive for pace if not ferocity with MM.

Him riding these 2 races would have had no prospect of a good result for everyone imo though, as Suppo and he seem to have realised. Anything short of top 5, and perhaps even 4th or 5th, would provoke trenchant criticism. If he was really fast, it would likely destabilise one current contracted Honda rider in Pedrosa, and possibly might distract MM, although even I don't believe he could seriously threaten MM in a wild card ride, except perhaps at PI.

Wonderful to see you back Michael. Thought we'd lost you.

michaelm · Apr 7, 2015

Keshav said:
Wonderful to see you back Michael. Thought we'd lost you.

If quite a few of the other old stagers such as you are back, and interested in talking bike racing in general as seems to be the case rather than mostly about why they hate riders other than the rider or riders they favour as in some other forums, then I am happy to return as well. I have been lurking but thought I had to re-join when they changed the forum which I had not got around to doing; this has proved not to be the case.

All credit to Valentino for the first race btw, if he wins his 8th world championship in the premier class at age 35 as is not looking impossible then it will surpass all other achievements, including what imo was the biggest singular achievement of Agostini's career, his own 8th premier class world championship on a Yamaha. In regard to your post on the other thread , I think the regulations and particularly the tyres have moved Rossi's way, and if tailoring the bike to him gives Yamaha more chance against MM/ HRC then they would be silly not to go with him and I have no problem with them doing so.

Gaz · Apr 7, 2015

J4rn0 said:
Maybe the Suzuka 8 hours is meant for that purpose -- check his race fitness and do some training. Endurance certainly isn't the kind of racing he likes, or which he's especially good at.

I firmly believe that once retired should mean stay retired, but you have definitely hit on my first thought when I read about the Suzuka 8 hour ride ......

Personally though I suspect and hope that his rides are not about a full time return but more an itch that he needs to scratch, just as Bayliss did.

I would be much happier were Stoner to turn up at the TB Classic of the national motards

levigarrett · Apr 8, 2015

We can now begin in earnest discussing Stoner's wildcard ride at PI. Proceed...

michaelm · Apr 8, 2015

levigarrett said:
We can now begin in earnest discussing Stoner's wildcard ride at PI. Proceed...

Can't happen unless MM or Pedrosa are injured as far as I am aware.

#22 · Apr 8, 2015

How so? Ducati Wildcarded Pirro a number of times last year and Yamaha have done it with thair test rider too.

michaelm · Apr 8, 2015

#22 said:
How so? Ducati Wildcarded Pirro a number of times last year and Yamaha have done it with thair test rider too.

I stand to be corrected, but as I understand from discussions about him wildcarding at PI previously he can't wildcard for HRC as a 3rd rider, they are only allowed 2 entries.

This was changed after 2011, so is obviously malleable like many other things.

Kropotkin · Apr 8, 2015

michaelm said:
I stand to be corrected, but as I understand from discussions about him wildcarding at PI previously he can't wildcard for HRC as a 3rd rider, they are only allowed 2 entries.

This was changed after 2011, so is obviously malleable like many other things.

They are only allowed 2 permanent entries, but they are allowed wildcards. Up to a maximum of 5, if memory serves.

DavidSim · Apr 8, 2015

It would be fantastic to see Casey do a few MotoGP races this year given the circumstances at Honda now, in a no pressure just do what you can scenario that keeps the pressure as low as possible.

It would be a real attention getter for sure, and make the 2015 season that more interesting for all in my humble opinion.

10-4

levigarrett · Apr 9, 2015

michaelm said:
Can't happen unless MM or Pedrosa are injured as far as I am aware.

First, welcome back good sir. Always enjoyed your posts. TBH, I have no idea if HRC could produce a third bike. Perhaps you're correct. I tend to agree with Suppo. I don't want to see Stoner back unless he's fit and capable. I doubt he's either at THIS moment.

michaelm · Apr 9, 2015

levigarrett said:
First, welcome back good sir. Always enjoyed your posts. TBH, I have no idea if HRC could produce a third bike. Perhaps you're correct. I tend to agree with Suppo. I don't want to see Stoner back unless he's fit and capable. I doubt he's either at THIS moment.

I stood to be corrected, and Kropotkin has done so, so thanks to him. HRC can run a wildcard entry up to 5 times if they want but would appear to have not wanted to do so.

I seriously doubt they will ever run a wildcard entry for an in any way likely to be competitive rider whilst a championship is in the balance. The last such rider to be run by a factory team that I can recall in any circumstance was Troy Bayliss in 2006, admittedly at least partly because such riders tend to be already riding for someone else.

J4rn0 · Apr 9, 2015

If (as it seems clear now) Casey Stoner still has a desire to race after all, I have little doubt he'll find a way. Motegi and P.I. in October look like strong candidates, especially if by that time Marquez' position in the championship will be strong; P.I. in particular would be the perfect venue for his comeback as it is his home track, and one where he has displayed a strong superiority in recent years. He already has a corner in his name there; should he win, they'll give his name to the track itself... or even to the place - Stoner's Island!

Mental Anarchist · Apr 9, 2015

The only damage to MM that could occur if Stoner rode would be if Stoner placed in front of MM and behind a rival.

Stoner could win and MM come second .... no damage done!!!!!

Welcome back michaelm.

levigarrett · Apr 9, 2015

Mental Anarchist said:
The only damage to MM that could occur if Stoner rode would be if Stoner placed in front of MM and behind a rival.

Stoner could win and MM come second .... no damage done!!!!!

Welcome back michaelm.

I truly don't think Casey could be MM. If Casey were to get a Wildcard ride he'd be coming in without a single recent race (GP) under his belt. MM on the other hand will be fit and probably in top form.

I'd still like to see it but I doubt it could ever live up the hype.

Gaz · Apr 9, 2015

Mental Anarchist said:
The only damage to MM that could occur if Stoner rode would be if Stoner placed in front of MM and behind a rival.

Stoner could win and MM come second .... no damage done!!!!!

Welcome back michaelm.

Long shot Mental but were I Honda, under NO circumstances would I want (or allow) Stoner to beat Marquez even if Stoner were to win the race.

Whilst you are absolutely correct in that Marquez would increase the points were the scenario to take place, Stoner would still essentially take 1 point from him and if the season is close, Stoner should not (not that I believe he could without due preparation anyway - we did just see Bayliss for example)

That said, I fully see what you mean and reckon it would be a magical publicity opportunity for Honda but do not think it will happen and for, as I have said elsewhere I hope it does not occur as I come from the 'once retired, always retired' school (and in that, he retired from MGP so am fine with the 8 hour gig)

Gaz · Apr 9, 2015

My opinion only ................ he will not win but man, I am very interested to see his laptimes by comparison to the regular endurance runners as well as his team mates

J4rn0 · Apr 10, 2015

Stoner doesn't seem to have received Honda's refusal well...

MotoGP, Stoner: in Texas mi sarei solo divertito

Mental Anarchist · Apr 10, 2015

I agree that no way could Stoner come out and win any where except PI. But if he could get between any of the rivals and MM then great for Honda.

Could Stoner win PI? Yes. He knows secrets that the others don't. He would need a race before to get up to speed. But let's not forget that Stoner is a savant on a GP bike.

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