Ducati Monster Forum

Just heard through the grapevine (Moto Photog Andrew Wheeler, to be precise) that Stoner is going to retire at the end of this season.

Can anyone corroborate this scuttlebutt?

On the front of the MotoGP website it says Casey Stoner announces his retirement after the 2012 season?  ??? That's like Darth Vader announcing he's leaving the Empire.  :-\

I'm not a fan of Casey but he's one of those guys you love to hate. I have as much fun rooting against him as I do rooting for others to beat him. I guess you can say I have a weird love/hate thing going with him.

He's fun to watch and has earned my respect. Is this real life? Can someone confirm?

**EDIT: Looks like Drunken Monkey beat me by a minute or so, he must have posted his article as I was typing mine. Feel free to delete, sorry.  :)

Soup is saying he announce at a news conference at Le Mans

I read this on the front of the MotoGP website. Shocked to say the least.  :-\

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/casey-stoner-announces-retirement/20668.html (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/casey-stoner-announces-retirement/20668.html)

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Casey+retirement (http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Casey+retirement)

And it sure as shit ain't April Fool's day...

You know...I don't like the guy all that much but respect him as a racer. And frankly, the last few years, when he has been "On", there hasn't been anyone in the paddock that can touch him. Will be sad to see him go.

Alvaro Bautista just went, WUT?

Maybe he just wanted to beat Rossi (to retirement)

It's part of his contract with Satan.

After LeMans... Stoners wife gets fat.... the Ducati will be fast again.... Pedrosa becomes a real boy..... The Ben returns to form and Nicky puts a proper curve on the bill of his hat.

You win the internet today.  [laugh] [laugh]

in the words of Vizzinni....

INCONCEIVABLE!!!!

Rossi back to Honda.  

Wanna start taking bets on whether he "unretires", either before the end of the season or within the next four years?

Would be a little disappointed to see him leave so early. Its been a long process to make it here, now at the pinnacle and to just walk away? Maybe just doesn't want to end up like rossi.

So a seat open on the repsol team, i think danny should get the boot too. Rossi back to Honda? The Ben to Honda? Crutchlow, he's having a banging season so far. Or just some schmuck in there next year and Marquez in 2 year time.

Wow! Bummer to see him go.

I wouldn't be as surprised by that as I am by today's announcement.

Speaking of not surprised, I'm disappointed (but not shocked) at the sour tone of the quotes in the VisorDown & MotoGP stories.

Indeed.

Casey Stoner slowmo and drift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldCfm1T-rx4#)

Casey Stoner Drifting at Phillip Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw24pY6ScNA#)

STONER phillip island 2009 drift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp3vgjy5gPk#)

And this one, of course  . . . Rossi-Stoner Laguna Seca 2008 battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfPM77TsGaA&feature=related#)

[laugh] [clap]

I think this is a good move on his part.  He goes out on top, while he's rich and still healthy, and before Eszpoleta destroys the series completely.

PhilB

If you look at up Counter-Steering and Drift in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Casey Stoner on his GP bike...  [bow_down]

It'd definitely a shock to fans/haters and to racing.  MotoGP is having trouble keep fans happy and the grid filled.  But it's his life and his decision.  I just hope that he doesn't regret this decision a couple years later, knowing that he still have plenty of gas left in the tank...

I'll miss seeing him push and slide the Honda around like a little pregnant dog.
 
If you like him or not, he did win a championship for Ducati and he's on track for his 3rd, completely dominating everyone who said he had no talent in 2006-2007.

I think it's a good move on his part, get out while you're young and healthy, enjoy your life and family.
He only has to look back in a few years to see champions who weren't as smart or didn't have the balls to check out when it was still good.

I'd be willing to bet he's been pretty smart with his paychecks, money probably won't be an issue.

Now let's see if he's still as determined on track as he was before the announcement.

jimi

Frankly, I love the guy but I hate Honda.  Can you haters remember who else it was that won a motogp championship on a Ducati?  The names have slipped from my mind.  I'll miss him but if I see Hondas finishing first a little less often I won't mind. 

Quoted for truth. Always thought of him as a whiner until Rossi moved to Ducati then everyone realized what a genius Stoner may have been with the bike. His ability to slide from the apex curb to the outside curb is absolutely astonishing.

I'm definitely going to miss his competitiveness & his intuitive ability to ride the piss out of anything.

It's a bit early to assume he's going out on top. While he dominated last year and the first part of this year (though I'd stopped paying attention to the standings - because Casey seemed to be running away with it from the first laps of pre-season testing - and didn't realize he's only one point up on Lorenzo), we're only three races in and there's plenty of room for bad luck and/or hard work from the Yamaha garage in the next 15.

In other news, if anybody cares at this point  ;), Rossi says he's in for another two years.

Gawd I hope not...that would mean the unthinkable: Dani Pedrosa Smurfy McDoucheBot, MotoGP Champion.

Ain't gonna happen while Lorenzo is healthy.

I'm pretty sure Lorenzo just became the happiest man on Earth. Stoner is the only rider that can consistently beat him.

In other news, if anybody cares at this point  ;), Rossi says he's in for another two years.
[/quote] Yawn, who is this Rossi you speak of? I thought he retired two years ago [roll].
As a Aussie and massive fan of Stoner I'm devastated (OK devastated might be over the top) maybe disappointed, just as well I've booked Phillip Island already, hopefully he will go out on top.
Don

I just read this.  Terrible news for GP and motorcycling in general.  I may not like Casey's attitude a lot of the time, but I do enjoy watching him race.  There is a big void if he leaves.  I feel kind of empty about it.  I respect him for leaving in his prime, but we'll always look back and think "what if he had raced another 5-8 years."

I don't blame him though.  The series is going down the toilet right now anyway.

Not exactly news...

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56886.msg1055713#msg1055713 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56886.msg1055713#msg1055713)

of course now we've heard it from him. 

http://motomatters.com/news/2012/05/02/the_first_improbable_rumors_of_the_2013_.html (http://motomatters.com/news/2012/05/02/the_first_improbable_rumors_of_the_2013_.html)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99318 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99318)

this portion of your quote is exactly what I thought when Bayliss retired almost...

Its just sad to see a guy with the obvious talent to go down as one of the greats.  I'll always remember him as such, but he honestly could win another 4-5 championships and have his name next to Rossi.

The greatest thing over the last few years was watching Stoner's racecraft improve and catch up to his outright speed.  That and ogling his wife in the pits.  :P

...minus the amputated digits ;D

Apparently one of the reasons Casey is walking away is the dumbing down of the class. Dorna need to have a good look at themselves, they have brought Moto GP into disrepute. >:(

It's not like they had a choice...the show was getting ridiculous.

Let's hear it for the 10 bike, three manufacturer grid. . .  [clap]

 :o

This... was unexpected.

I know what your saying, but to me the best riders should be on the best bikes, not hotted up production bikes. If this is the case lets just call WSBK, Moto GP and be done with it.
Or bring back two strokes, ahhh those were the days
 

Judging by F1 this morning, he's leaving because he's bored

a crt bike is hardly a "hotted up production bike"...

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/casey-stoner-explains-retiring-motogp/#more-31040 (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/casey-stoner-explains-retiring-motogp/#more-31040)


sounds a lil whiney to me...hell...the whole things sounds a lil too much like...I am going to finish this out, and then take my ball and go home and Ppppbbbtttthhhh to you all from there on out because I don't like you anymore....which to me reads as pretty much an utter disregard and lack of ongoing respect for all of those hard working people he is supposedly defending by running aweay instead of championing them....

sounds like WSBK look out

Who the hell is this Stoner guy you speak of?

Hey, isn't there a WSBK race at Miller next weekend? [thumbsup] [Dolph] [popcorn]

Not to mention some quite good AMA racing too.

Man, I didn't find anything wrong with what he said. The writing is on the wall. Dorna will be implementing rule changes in the next few years that many riders don't prefer. He has absolutely nothing to prove.

I gotta agree w/ Carlos.

Casey's been critical of the dumbing down of prototype racing. I have to agree with him.

Casey wants to be the best in the top racing series...and he is...you have to give him credit for that

He doesn't want to be a clown in Dorna's circus.

Well said. I don't think anyone really likes the way the big boy class is headed.

Agreed.  Today, I read a Stoner interview where he explained his decision.  I can totally see his point of view and how he felt about the way prototype racing has regressed.  I believed him when he said that he doesn't care about money.  And, after the 2009 season with his illness, he realized that money is what everyone else cares about in this sports.  He is not able to sustain his love and passion for the sport when all the rule changes were made to sustain the profitability and the cash cow that it was.  

I like it when he was asked if retiring early is a waste of his talent and he replied saying that it is not a waste of talet, it's a waste of life.  With what he had gone thru, I think he realized that there is more to life than being a puppet in a racing series that's just a shell of its former self.  

I do enjoy watching Stoner race and have been rooting for him since his days on the Duc.  I really appreciate his balls-out attitude and no-nonsense ways.  I think I will miss him and I think history will remember him well.

I heard he's going to open a whinery.

He does have experience.

The 'Golden Boy' will run the joint.  :D

Red Bull rider Casey Stoner in super-slo-mo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWTjNA7crDM&feature=youtube_gdata_player#)

Has anyone heard if he is going to continue racing something/anything?  I mean the guy is fast on almost everything he touches.  Setting track records on carts, whooping the Ferrari F1 drivers on the ice.  What will he do next, Rally, WSBK, Aussie V8s, Le Mans 24hr?

Pit bikes? [laugh]

It will be interesting. At 26 he can go do anything. [popcorn] [bacon] [Dolph] Maybe just stay at home and be a Dad. Hopefully he saved his $$$$. ;)

Speaking from experience, my predictions are:

He'll be with the new baby about 3 months before he's so bored he'll want to un-retire.

Then the kid will turn 2 and he'll want to retire again.

Then the kid will turn 12 and he'll want to un-retire.

If he has more than one kid, all bets are off.

His wife will very quickly get tired of having two crying babies around the house.

A few years of intensive psychotherapy will cure Casey of most of his whining......

doohan has already been in the press saying he hopes we'll see a retraction.

yeah, he has tested V8s in the past.  but said he has no firm plans so far.

I think if he starts to get challenged more like this past race he'll be more interested in staying on... and if he just loses out on another championship.  Disappointed with the sport or not, all these guys hate losing and I dont know if he could leave on a low note.

+ 2.

if there's one thing casey doesn't do it's change his mind.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/120521-34x34.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/120521-34x34.htm)

Schwantz.

could easily be in several threads; it's mostly about Le Mans.  but the last 2 paragraphs are about Casey.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/120522l.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/120522l.htm)

doohan, kinda redundant

Ouch!

not the first time he's said STFU casey.

yeah...he thinks Casey in a whinger too....LOL

I'm glad Schwantz is happy with what Dorna is doing to gp.

Why doesn't he stfu?   :P

He doesn't really say he likes where Dorna is going, only that Casey should show a little more class. 

Caseys criticism of where motogp is going is hardly trash talkin', the only one trash talkin' is Schwantz. He sounds all bitter and twisted. What happened to him?

Class?

It really just sounded like Schwantz figured Casey should toe the company line...

he still collects from the company cow.

I have criticized Casey in the past...

at least the kid has principles.

I admire that.

[thumbsup]

i've heard kevin talk about how he came to his decision to retire from competition... those last two paragraphs don't surprise me.

+3

+1

this shed more light for me....

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/motogp/strange-days-in-motogp/ (http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/motogp/strange-days-in-motogp/)

Dovi had to buy his own brakes?  They kicked Moto2 and Moto3 riders out of the paddock? 

WTF??

agreed!  [thumbsdown]

Dovi paying for his brakes isn't that strange if you think about it...how many riders did we hear of whom don't have rides now because they couldn't bring any money to the table or sponsors or other infusions....the factory leases on these machines aren't cheap and there is only a finite amount of cash to sustain the team in as many aspects as possible....so while it sucks that Cal ain't buyin some parts and Dovi is...it is the nature of the beast when you aren't a factory rider/pilot...

the Moto2 and 3 riders being eschewed out of the paddock isn't a new thing either...but I guess it is now coming to light...

I wonder how long before the 'Downfall' parody gets posted about motogp?

yes it is.

IIRC, Dovi is buying the *new/improved/better/latest trick* brakes.

I've not paid much attention to what Shwantz said since he threw Paul Denning under the bus for how the Suzuki MotoGP deal turned out.

Stoner's right...especially on the Moto2 and Moto3 riders being kicked out to make way for hospitality items.

...and Crutchlow is awesome...the UK version of Edwards:

"It’s not my job to buy brakes, my job is to race motorcycles… but maybe I’ll go round someone’s garage and steal them.”   [laugh] [laugh]
 

I've spent the last 10 minutes trying to convince myself that I should be outraged. I should be saying that Dorna is ruining MotoGP. The problem is that I'm not sure what is worse, the dumbing down of prototype racing or the fact that the manufacturers have priced themselves out of competition. The reality is that even rode bikes these days are using the latest electronics to get as much performance out of them as po$$ible. Bringing back the days of analog bikes is going backwards. Too many rules to even the playing field is also going backwards, but the racing is just not as exciting. I can't fault Casey at all for any of this and it does seem like, since he's been tagged a whiner for so long, is one of the few riders willing to say anything. For that alone he deserves a world of respect.

 [thumbsup]

respect to people who can be that black & white (casey, i mean).  i can't.

and i don't for a second think carmelo wants to be doing what he's doing.  he has to.  in 3 years motogp would have shut down otherwise.

exactly... he's already lost suzuki and kawasaki to the bean counters, and that was long before crt was even proposed.

I have no real problem with riders digging into their pockets and tossing in a few euros for brakes (after all, who's wearing them out?) if they want to keep racing -- and I'm sure there are non-riders on many teams that have and continue to work lots of unpaid hours to support their riders and make them successful.  I've also seen small businesses eke by on credit cards and the owner's personal savings until things got better....then everyone shared in the success.

Casey may be a little too young to 'appreciate' how corporate (and government) involvement (e.g., hospitality tents/sky boxes, corporate outings, stadiums, etc.) have transformed sports over the past twenty years -- resulting in lucrative TV contracts, other endorsements/spin-offs/corollary products, and tons of $$$$$.  His failure to acknowledge that he shares in the prosperity goes to the heart of what I think Schwantz is alluding to and is challenging Casey to rise above; that in his comments and actions he comes off as 'just another spoiled athlete'.

This is the same kid whose parents moved to the UK and lived in a trailer (caravan) so he could race...I'd hesitate to call him a spoiled brat ;D

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/180030/1/stoner_to_crutchlow_i_still_use_the_old_brakes.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/180030/1/stoner_to_crutchlow_i_still_use_the_old_brakes.html)

60,000 Euros per rider per season for pads and discs is not exactly chump change!!  That's freakin' unbelievable! They're just motorcycles. Top of the line racing prototypes yes, but still........

Carbon Fiber + Carbon Fiber + 6 months in an autoclave = $$$$$$$$$$$$$

half a million bucks for the honda gearbox.  just sayin'.

So if the team wants to win, then the team should be paying for it.

Well as a non factory team, your not expected to win. You just have to beat all the other non factory teams so when Ben spies seat opens up, you get the first shot.

Hey! Isn't there a WSBK at Miller this weekend? [popcorn] And no riders had to buy their brakes! Imagine that!!

Oh yeah, and the racing will be realy good from what I hear. [thumbsup] [Dolph]

they're not carbon fiber + carbon fiber, they're carbon-carbon:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforced_carbon%E2%80%93carbon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforced_carbon%E2%80%93carbon)

but... but... the top tier of motorcycle racing is supposed to cost a fortune!!!

buddy of mine left from LA this morning to ride out there.. 700 miles on a CBR.  but he did get a photo pass [popcorn]

Go find an SBK thread to troll in.  :-*

I didn't call him a spoiled brat, you did.....although if there ever was an example of parents sacrificing nearly everything in adoration of their Golden Child, you just cited it. ;D

Sacrificing,yeah,but probably more like living vicariously.

I'd call it more doing what parents do.

I think loving a child and wanting them to achieve greatness and committing a family to that without hesitation is intensely admirable.

Not only do I wish my parents would have done that for me, I feel inept that I couldn't do that for my own.

So, spoiled, maybe a bit, but with love and adoration. His parents are saints to have done so much for him.

Most parents think what they're doing is best for the kid ,even when they are misguided, i.e  Mike Allessi's Dad (motocross).

http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/12052434st.htm (http://superbikeplanet.com/2012/May/12052434st.htm)

honestly, Schwantz is being a douche about Casey.
Casey is leaving a sport he loves because the sport he loves is no more.
It's BS. Seriously cannot understand rules like
81mm bore limit to force 4 cyl and then limit to only 4 cyl.
one tire manufacturer that can't get it right
the CRTs (what a piece of crap purposely putting up back markers that you HOPE no one will have to lap and put them in danger)

and then hearing they push the moto2 and 3 out of the paddock.. bs. those guys earned a spot to be there, plus by pushing them out reduces their chances of getting to know big name sponsors.

Well said.

we don't know that schwantz doesn't feel exactly the same way about all those things...

just for the sake of discussion, on the whole bridgestone has gotten it very right.  and 1 second off for the CRTs at this level of development is phenomenal.  you're forgetting what the moto2 bikes looked like at first -- if you squinted you would have thought you were watching a club race.

As vociferous as he's been about Casey...

one would assume if he felt that way he'd say so.

Of course if what he's really concerned about is any future income to be derived from the Dorna cash cow it makes sense. ;D

given his involvement with young racers i bet he for sure feels the same way about the moto2/3 in the paddock thing.  my point is all he was saying is casey should enjoy it for what it's worth.  if you want to go, go.  but don't pregnant dog your way out the door.

but you knew that  ;)

Yeah...

I happen to partially agree with him.

Anyone that can make his living at that level of sport should have a grin from ear to ear.

I think the fact Casey doesn't is one of the reasons people see him as a whiner.

but you knew that.  ;D

I don't think it changes thier chances one bit of woo'ing sponsors...that all can be done during hours when they are all there...they just can't set up camp in the paddock, which I think probably saves them some $$$ in the sake of those rigs being very costly versus a hotel room expendature...

Have you ever stayed in a European hotel? 4 nights in the 3 star hotels can add up to what you would pay monthly for a rig. Schwantz does not like Stoner and he's just trying to push his buttons. Where was he when Rossi was pregnant dogin to the media about the bike a few weeks ago? These guys will complain about everything. They are motorcycle divas and Schwantz probably complained constantly back in his day, so please don't try to play that card now.

out of context from your main points: he didn't.

who says that have to stay in a 3 star hotel? or a Michelin starred hotel?

cause a 2 star is a bunk bed and a sink with a bathroom down the hall - no shit, been there.

and, more to my point earlier, he quit when he decided he wasn't having fun anymore...

So everyone should be held to his standard of fun? Casey can't say that he's not having fun because Dorna is dumbing down the series?

That's right...

only Schwantz and Mamola can have opinions. ;D

oh you did NOT just bring mamola into this...   



[laugh]

*In my best Red from Shawshank Redemption voice* "Oh...Randy..."

I've gone from respecting schwantz to now feeling he is a complete tool. I think it's that holier than thou attitude that comes across in his articles.
In no way when you read the Australian press do you feel that stoner is a whinger, it's only the European and American press that bag him out, though they didn't like Doohan either.

there couldn't possibly be any bias there, could there?  [roll]

fwiw, i don't recall the american or euro press having anything negative to say about doohan.

With Mick Doohan Ill be more specific, it was the English press that he had a run in with after they slagged him off if I remember correctly

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2012/May/may3112-davies-doubts-stoner-will-step-out-of-retirement/ (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2012/May/may3112-davies-doubts-stoner-will-step-out-of-retirement/)

:)

Can't help but think.....

If Ducati had been willing and able to consistently put a competitive bike under him, he'd still be there, would have ~4 WC's, and it'd be Rossi that was retiring now.

http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/4464/the-day-stoner-shocked-the-motogp-paddock/ (http://plus.autosport.com/free/feature/4464/the-day-stoner-shocked-the-motogp-paddock/)

nothing new really but it's a moody article so it's well written

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/stoner+farewell (http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/stoner+farewell)

I really like Stoner - but I'm guessing that's easier to do from half a world away. Sometimes you just have to laugh:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Nov/121113c.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Nov/121113c.htm)

last night I was having a nice chat with a fellow who was origionally from South Africa who moved to Melbourne about 23 years ago and he openly said to me that "Casey Stoner is no Mick Doohan" and that he expects Casey in V8 Supercars to make the same effect that Danica Patrick has on Nascar....

He's right...

Stoner is way faster than Doohan

$15 Million offer from Honda and Stoner still retired. I wonder how fast he would be if he still enjoyed it.

As fast as he now, but $15 mil richer.  :D

$$$ [laugh]$$$

I'd hate another season of racing a motorcycle for 15mil.

'cept you don't know what he got for winning last year.

Great article. Hope it's not a derby.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Nov/121129test.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Nov/121129test.htm)

http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sports/v8-supercars/motogp-champion-casey-stoner-set-to-compete-in-v8-supercars-with-debut-at-clipsal-500/story-fn2ms9um-1226557495956#.UPsGxWfezTo (http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sports/v8-supercars/motogp-champion-casey-stoner-set-to-compete-in-v8-supercars-with-debut-at-clipsal-500/story-fn2ms9um-1226557495956#.UPsGxWfezTo)

V8 Supercars are awesome.

Not surprising since he was hanging around in the team garages at least 5 races this past year.

You'll be able to see the boys when they go to Texas this year

Wow, I hadn't heard about that!

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/v8-supercars/ (http://circuitoftheamericas.com/v8-supercars/)

does the B team travel?

anyway, supposedly it's still just a 'maybe'..  http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/187381/1/casey_stoner_set_for_v8_supercar_deal.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/187381/1/casey_stoner_set_for_v8_supercar_deal.html)

Since this is their first time to the states, my 'guess' would be no.

Another nail in the coffin...apperently he's never watched Nascar, and appears to still be sore at Rossi for Laguna Seca 2008

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/21220542 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/21220542)

That'd make me like him more.

Can I ask why?

I always thought Stoner has cool for his honesty. to hear that fans actually tried to hurt them floors me.
and this is what Dorna wants, more rivalries.  [bang]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/motogp-champion-casey-stoner-hits-the-wall-in-first-v8-race/story-e6frea6u-1226588704748 (http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/motogp-champion-casey-stoner-hits-the-wall-in-first-v8-race/story-e6frea6u-1226588704748)

I don't think rider rivalries are a bad thing. They've always been there and it makes for exciting racing

Dorna can be blamed for plenty, but I don't think it's fair to lay the actions of idiots on them.

friendly rivalries to determine who's better, sure, always been there always will be,
but this new futbol hooligan level stuff, not cool.

...but how is this Dorna's fault. It's our society that creates this idiocy not a corporate entity.

Rivalries are between riders, or between fans, not between fans and riders. A-hole fans are just that. There isn't any hooligan level stuff going on between the riders.

that's what I meant