HRC just tweeted that '12 will be Stoner's last year in MGP

[Grahluk]

Put simply, the people doing this (and I saw this, so I can comment on it directly) were just scum/chavs. They weren't fans of motorbike racing, they were just lowlifes drawn into it by the Rossi phenomenon, GP coming onto the BBC and sensationalist reporting by MCN (which yes, was as bad then as it is now for putting words into the mouths of riders, and coming to inaccurate conclusions).

I don't believe you for the anti logic of this couple of sentences. I might be reading this wrong but are you suggesting that chavs read?

[TwoStroke Institute]

I don't believe you for the anti logic of this couple of sentences. I might be reading this wrong but are you suggesting that chavs read?

So long as it's written in text speak.

[Oscar]

You're not going to like this Oscar. http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/12052434st.htm

Actually, it makes me laugh! If I'd wanted to write a parody on what I have said about Adams and Schwantz being the last two members of the Stoner-Haters League of America (est. 2007, popn. 12) still alive, I couldn't have done it better. It's a classic. We only need a 'luxury - when I was young' and it's bloody Pythonesque.. Schwantz with 30 or so words on Stoner and 300 on 'how I did it', Adams trotting out a (slightly modified) version of the 'mystery illness' (without acknowledging what it actually was, yet again) - it's a caricature of those two and their constant take on Stoner. Says volumes about both of them, and one rather feels like one is intruding on the private bitch-session of two spurned ex-mistresses vying with each other to out-vilify that bastard who passed them by. Makes you want to send them over a couple of free stiff drinks and quietly turn on your video camera to catch some You-tube gold...

On the old 'Motogpnews' website, the writer on there used to joke about the BBC commenatary coverage, giving quotes from the race by Charlie Cox and Steve Parrish, and just writing, "Rossi Rossi Rossi Rossi Rossi Yamaha Rossi Rossi Rossi Rossi Rossi Rossi Rossi . Yes this was OTT, but there is no smoke without fire as they say and there was definitely some truth to the parody.

We all had some giggles in 2010 here about Nick Harris and the official motoGp feed with much the same, and I don't know if Nick reads the forum pages but he suddenly seemed to find in '11 that there were a whole batch of riders who weren't Rossi, and his commentary improved out of sight - we suddenly found there was stuff, good stuff, going on elsewhere in the field. It's amazing, though, that there are any riders left alive when so many emulate lemmings plunging down any available non-flat surface.

I don't believe you for the anti logic of this couple of sentences. I might be reading this wrong but are you suggesting that chavs read?

Well, of course they do - the short words in big print at the top of the articles. It's all those little words with too many characters in them ( i.e. five or more) that tends to tangle them up..
Sometime back, I wrote that MCN would headline a story about Stoner having caught a cold at Sachsenring and it still being with him at L.S as: 'Stoner spreads disease world-wide'. MCN has eased up a bit, but it could still happen..

[Cappra]

I am simply saying that the British mentality (not everyone in Britian of course) clashes with Stoner's personality which is why he isn't overly popular here. I'm not having a go at anyone, I am just offering an opinion as to why there's portion of people who aren't fans of his.

I think you'll find it as much about National character, National perceptions and National rivalry between Britain and Australia as anything else - the Poms don't like been beaten by anyone (they take their sport to heart) but particularly don't like been beaten by the Convicts .

Mostly they'll take their defeats with reluctant but good graces (stiff upper lip and all that) but throw in Stoner's reserved nature, his 'take it or leave it attitude', his winning ways and the dethroning of the popular hero (VR) and the Pom took it as arrogance and as a mortal insult .

[Oscar]

Oscar wrote:Pretty much all classical drama revolves around a 'hero' and a 'villain' and the struggle between them. More than one hero becomes confusing - though he or she may have sidekicks of far lesser stature - and usually a range of villains to be vanquished. That theme runs very deep in the human psyche, you can find it in texts ranging from 'Monkey Magic' through to the Bible...


This may be just me and my contrarian tendencies, but I hasten to point out that the biggest movie, now or in recent years, is about a team. The last biggest movie (series) was about a team of teams, based on literature that (I assume) is to be considered "classic".

Is this premise based on the idea that "people" can only track 2 figures at a time (if that)? If ever there was a sport that shouldn't need a hero and a villain, but should have appreciation for the presence of all of the leaders, it is this one.

Well, I didn't say it was an immutable law... but I do think it's the dominant theme. Even in the 'team' type stories, you tend to have one more equal than the others - back to the Odessy with Ulysses, Jesus and the disciples, Wolverine and the X-men... who remembers the names of all the Three Musketeers, but most people remember d'Artagnan ...

Has there ever been, in the history of motoGp, so many column-inches (or electron equivalent) been written in a season about another rider who came mid-pack in the WC? The focus on Rossi still burns very brightly (understandably, and good on it: at least we have focus on the sport that brings with it the opportunity for other information to come through). His travails at the moment seem Sisyphean but they still fascinate. Stoner is more of the 'somewhere a noble comet died and a blazing Prince tore apart the evening sky' story, but dammit, it's news!

[Oscar]

the Poms don't like been beaten by anyone (they take their sport to heart) but particularly don't like been beaten by the Convicts .

You forgot, they hate us for our weather - which is pretty unreasonable, we do our best to lay on U.K. weather at P.I. each year...

[gco0307]

the Poms don't like been beaten by anyone (they take their sport to heart) but particularly don't like been beaten by the Convicts .

You forgot, they hate us for our weather - which is pretty unreasonable, we do our best to lay on U.K. weather at P.I. each year...

No, they hate us for bloody Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Neighbours

[Grahluk]

the Poms don't like been beaten by anyone (they take their sport to heart) but particularly don't like been beaten by the Convicts .

You forgot, they hate us for our weather - which is pretty unreasonable, we do our best to lay on U.K. weather at P.I. each year...

No, they hate us for bloody Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Neighbours

You forgot Crocodile Dundee. That took away much of the goodwill earned previously by Mad Max

[Kropotkin]

As far as I'm concerned the number one reason the British public has had a lesser opinion of Stoner is largely to do with the British press, which as a whole (and with various notable exceptions) I think has been and continues to be extremely unprofessional, not just in the context of Stoner but with the way they present and represent the sport. The fact that a blogger can step up and wipe the proverbial floor with them says as much about what the fans want and what they've had to put up with as it does about the quality of motomatters.

I have always regarded my own success as more of an indictment of the miserable quality of MotoGP journalism than anything else. If an idiot like me can succeed, then the opposition can't be up to much...

[Gustav O]

I have always regarded my own success as more of an indictment of the miserable quality of MotoGP journalism than anything else. If an idiot like me can succeed, then the opposition can't be up to much...

YOu might be an idiot but an idiot that is great at writing and reporting about MotoGP. :thumbsup

[Gar]

Not throwing in a pile sensationalistic bullshit helps too

[Zaphod]

Just watched this.........

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2012/Af ... +Mans+2012


Now, for my own benefit...and so I am not jumping to incorrect conclusions, or slandering someones personality unjustly.....

Is it me, or does Dani look like he's trying to not smile with joy at the news of his much faster team-mate retiring ? He says all the right things, but a couple of times there, he looked like he almost smiled. The reason it might seem so obvious is because he usually never does (smile).

Not saying he should be condemned for it, just thought I noticed it.

Condemnation can come at a later date if Stoner says it was Puig who leaked the news.....

Lorenzo, Rossi and Spies seem to offer their honest feelings........particularly Lorenzo.

See what you make of it........

[lebowski]

A bit harsh on Dani I reckon. It's very tempting to put your own subjective opinion in place. By that I mean we can all imagine that part of Dani would be glad to see him go. Casey came into Honda and was immediately faster. Psychologically that has to be damaging and Stoner, in my opinion, clearly has his measure. IF Dani is happy to see him go, I can easily understand why.

As for Jorge, I think he has been relishing the challenge Stoner presents. He wants to beat him as he thinks that Casey is the fastest man alive. You get the feeling He believes he can do this and is dissapointed that the person he sees as being the best isn't there for him to beat.

Rossi, hmmmmm, he is such an expert with the media I would not even attempt to gauge his true feelings based on the manner in which he presents.

All of the above is of course entirely subjective itself!

[Zaphod]

Don't get me wrong, I understand why he would feel that way.......I just wondered if it was only me who thought he was trying to not smile.

Obviously, it's good news for him......in the short term, and if it were me in his shoes, I'd be bloody happy too.

Like I said, I'm not out to shoot him........I just found it interesting.The others could quite easily have had that same reaction if Stoner was their team-mate.......


On another note (probably more to do with topic ! ), interesting comment from Checchinello....

Lucio Cecchinello, who first put Casey Stoner on his 250cc Aprilia back in 2002, says he's not surprised the Aussie is quitting the sport.

Cecchinello played a massive role in Stoner's illustrious career, giving him a ride back in 2002 in the 250cc GP World Championships.

The Italian re-signed him in 2006, putting Stoner on a satellite Honda for the MotoGP Championship where he claimed one podium and finished eighth in the title race.

The now-35-times MotoGP winner used that as a step up to a Ducati ride and the first of his two World titles, the latter achieved last season with the factory Honda team.

However, this year will be Stoner's final opportunity to win another World title as the 26-year-old announced earlier this month that he would be retiring at the end of this season.

And his decision comes as no surprise to Cecchinello.

"I'm not really surprised because he always said that his plan was to show his potential, win the world title and then say goodbye," the LCR Honda team boss told Motorcycle News.

"He won two titles, so he stayed even longer than what he said right at the beginning when he rode with us.

"If Casey has decided to retire it means he has lost his motivation and it makes no sense to continue riding at 350kph without being motivated.

"He has reached his main goals and everybody needs motivation. Once you achieve your personal goals maybe now he is looking for something else in his life and I totally respect his decision."

[Oscar]

I have always regarded my own success as more of an indictment of the miserable quality of MotoGP journalism than anything else. If an idiot like me can succeed, then the opposition can't be up to much...

Well said. Hell, when one thinks of 'respected motojournalists', (for English language, or something approaching it) only a few names are routinely bandied around: Spalding, Noyes, Ryder, Moody, Emmett (D), Cathcart, Cameron.. I reckon you could easily be up there amongst those - oh, wait a minute...

[tom]

I haven't had a chance to read this yet but it looks interesting

http://mag.gpweek.com/#folio=33

[Oscar]

I haven't had a chance to read this yet but it looks interesting

http://mag.gpweek.com/#folio=33

Have a close look at the rear tyre, just under the letter: 'A'. If one every wondered why the carcass gets heated - that's why! That thing is operating under some serious wellie... looks like a drag bag on the holeshot.

[Zaphod]

Seems he's narrowing down his attack.

Twitter.......


Casey Stoner ‏@Official_CS27
Incase anyone misinterpreted why I am retiring, I have lost passion and interest for the sport, not for racing OR riding these bikes.

[MiniNinjaMk5]

Perhaps that was in response to MCN's headline selectively quoting Casey the other week? Can't remember what it said exactly, but I remember thinking, "hmmm, that's not what he said" when I read it.

Just a tinfoil-hat moment here; How awesome would it be if Casey realises that he wants to continue racing but not for, 'you must do everything we say Honda', and instead Suzuki persuade him to spearfront their return to GPs? They could give him a contract - "no PR stuff, no BS, just please race our bike for us and we will do everything you say. " I'm just thinking of a story that could live up to Rossi going Honda -> Yamaha

[eddahenry]

Perhaps that was in response to MCN's headline selectively quoting Casey the other week? Can't remember what it said exactly, but I remember thinking, "hmmm, that's not what he said" when I read it.

Just a tinfoil-hat moment here; How awesome would it be if Casey realises that he wants to continue racing but not for, 'you must do everything we say Honda', and instead Suzuki persuade him to spearfront their return to GPs? They could give him a contract - "no PR stuff, no BS, just please race our bike for us and we will do everything you say. " I'm just thinking of a story that could live up to Rossi going Honda -> Yamaha

IF Suzuki was smart they would be rounding up all the factory lunch money to sign him as a test rider next year.
No Pr no bullshit just testing
could see him back in 2014

[tom]

I see very little evidence of Casey being dissatisfied with Honda. Quite the contrary really. I suspect Casey jumping in bed with Suzuki would be like Ducati all over again. Small manufacturer with a history of letting their riders down as far as delivering a competitive package goes.

[Grahluk]

Quit the denial that's leading to such fantasies & come to terms that we're seeing the close of an odd yet remarkable career. CS27 is right now in the team he always dreamed of if only briefly. Suzuki? He doesn't strike me as a masochist. Also fat chance coming back as a test rider. Thought he didn't favor testing & practice but rather just enjoyed racing?

[Hanuman]

Quit the denial that's leading to such fantasies & come to terms that we're seeing the close of an odd yet remarkable career. CS27 is right now in the team he always dreamed of if only briefly. Suzuki? He doesn't strike me as a masochist. Also fat chance coming back as a test rider. Thought he didn't favor testing & practice but rather just enjoyed racing?

No, no, Grahluk. The retiring rider who has been quite explicit about his dislike of the direction MotoGP is going is champing at the bit to be a test drone on a rev-limited, Spec-ECU, single tyre (that'll randomly change during the season) rule bike made by a team that could only field a single bike in 2011. Sounds just like him.

[drayon]

Nakamoto on Stoners' retirement and discussion on Dorna changing the rules constantly.

http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/20120 ... itiro.html

Another on Aprilia discussing similar grievances at Honda about rule changes.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100159

[dave_m]

I believe the rules should be set for 2013, and they are negotiating the rules for 2014/2015 now. I don't imagine the rules will stay consistent while they are trying to get the CRT bikes competitive either.