Good Stoner interview..

[Sir Limpsalot]

The season is almost underway!

Very honest and down to earth interview with Casey..

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/Stoner+preQatar+interview

Your team-mate Dani and you showed great strength during this pre-season. Do you think this year everyone will be faster than ever?

“I think so, I have seen many riders that are taking more risks and they are pushing a lot more. There is more competitiveness because they think victory is possible, they feel they are closer to the podium and that motivates them to take more risks than before. I think we will see very exciting races this year.”

Si.:)

[vintagemxr]

If he can stay on the bike he'll be right there with Jorge. Maybe since Casey's not on the demanding Duc he'll stay on better this year. My gut feeling is that if they don't fall off at the wrong time during the season it will come down to Stoner and Lorenzo.

the other Doug

[Tassie Devil]

Yes, I often wonder why Casey rode so hard just to win those 23 MotoGP flags.
He would have been much safer wobbling around the track like the other Ducati riders, and I bet he wouldn't have fallen nearly as much...
Maybe it's something to do with his desire to win.....
It's got me stumped.......
(Sigh).

Cheers,

JQ.

[Tassie Devil]

I just read a post on MCN, (Motorcycle News), by Aquarius....
I thought it cuts to the chase....

"Stoner being diplomatic - for a change ...
Casey is simply acknowledging that there are several riders around him that will be Title contenders for 2011 - especially Lorenzo and maybe even Spies. Without having a crystal ball it is very hard to determine just how seriously he takes his new HRC team-mates. Remember, his number is 27 and Dani's is 26 - springing from their days in the Spanish 125 championship. Once on the World stage in 125 and 250cc, Stoner was on 2nd-tier Aprilia machinery to Pedrosa and Dovi on works Honda's. In 2004 in 125cc - Dovi finished Champ with Lorenzo 4th and Stoner 5th. Over in 250cc, Dani was the 2004 Champ. With all 4 riders in 250cc in 2005 - on the works Honda again, Dani finished Champ on 309 points, Stoner 2nd on 254 ( but still gave Dani a bloody hard time ) whilst Dovi ( works Honda ) was 3rd on 189 points. For the record, Lorenzo was 5th in 250cc that year. Does anyone think that now they are on exactly EQUAL machinery, Stoner isn't slavering at the chops and relishing the opportunity to one-up both Dani and Dovi - given their mutual histories? They may look quite normal but these guys really are predators and axe-murderers and red in tooth and claw behind all the smiles and the nice guy facades. It is an incontestable fact that Pedrosa and Dovi have had Honda factory gear and all the support any rider could ask for throughout their careers - but for one reason or another in MotoGP both have been epic under-achievers. The arrival of Stoner will either change the pre-existing paradigm or shatter some long-held illusions. Time will tell.

Jerry Burgess said it best some 9-10 months ago - succinct and straight to the point: " Honda needed to hire riders with “ will “ that would rise above the bike and ride around problems and want to win. It isn't good enough to continually say that they did their best on a bike that wasn't up to the rest." Ouch !!! That says it all as to why HRC hired Stoner, doesn't it? And, coming from Burgess especially, it must have dented a few ego's - specifically Pedrosa's and Dovizioso's".


Cheers,

JQ.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Casey had better win then. :001:

[Tassie Devil]

I really do not care who wins Simon......
I only care to see the very best riders of the sport we all follow and enjoy to race to their best ability.
If one should go to the front of the pack and leave the others behind, I will marvel at his expertise and not require him to slow down so the others can catch up.
If, as it looks like to me, a number of riders are closely matched with equal machinery, and the season becomes a classic with an unknown taking the honours, then I will be thrilled, as I know you will also.

If Casey comes last and falls at every corner, then I will feel sorry for the boy, but for heavens sake, we are mature followers of the sport and surely we can distinguish between falling off a bike through incompetence and wrestling a clearly difficult bike to ride and to achieve the most victories in an era? This is what I was reacting to my friend....

The season is nearly upon us.... Thank goodness....

Cheers,

JQ.

[panthercity]

Yeah, that Hayden guy is a wonk. Wobblin' around on the Duc. No desire to win. Hardly ever even tries...:rolleyes1:

[Sir Limpsalot]

If Casey comes last and falls at every corner, then I will feel sorry for the boy, but for heavens sake, we are mature followers of the sport and surely we can distinguish between falling off a bike through incompetence and wrestling a clearly difficult bike to ride and to achieve the most victories in an era? This is what I was reacting to my friend....

The season is nearly upon us.... Thank goodness....

Cheers,

JQ.

I don't think Doug meant to infer incompetence when he wrote what he did. I hope not anyway. I took it to mean that one crash can ruin a season (ask Rossi!).

And all I meant when I said that "Casey had better win" was that there will be some red faces at Honda HQ if he doesn't!

Like you, I think this is going to be a belting year! Bring it on!

[vintagemxr]

I don't think Doug meant to infer incompetence when he wrote what he did. I hope not anyway. I took it to mean that one crash can ruin a season (ask Rossi!).

And all I meant when I said that "Casey had better win" was that there will be some red faces at Honda HQ if he doesn't!

Like you, I think this is going to be a belting year! Bring it on!

You are a correct, Si.

If Rossi's experience thus far with the Ducati is any indication, Stoner never had a comfortable ally in the bike. Were Stoner's get offs in in the past a product of a less than friendly bike or him just, as Rossi just said "Repeating the same mistakes." (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/167316/1/valentino_rossi_opens_up_over_key_motogp_rivals.ht ml?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss)? I'd give the benefit of the doubt to Stoner. With the very solid Honda under him he could be unstoppable, he nearly was with the less friendly Ducati.

the other Doug

[Sir Limpsalot]

I'd give the benefit of the doubt to Stoner. With the very solid Honda under him he could be unstoppable, he nearly was with the less friendly Ducati.

the other Doug

Indeed. I love Rossi's quote-
“I give him 10 out of 10 for speed and talent, but a bit less for tactics and cunning. He is a mad man who often repeats the same mistake".

A mad man?! Hah!

Si.