Stunned!!
Absolutely Stunned at his announcement to call it quits at the end of the year, and in the prime of his life.
Maybe with his young family he has reconsidered his life and career prospects.
Mmick
The only thing that has surprised me is that he has made it public so early in the season.
I seem to recall his old man saying way back at the start of his GP career that he (Casey) planned to not be in the sport too late into his twenties. After winning the title last year ... with a bub on the way and the untimely death of Simoncelli I actually thought he may have called it a day then.
God luck to the kid (sorry he still seems 16 to me) - I have huge respect for the guy ... and in this case I don't mean as a rider!
He seems extremely focussed (intense) but also very private. He values his privacy but I am intrigued to know what he plans for the future. Hopefully he doesn't become an also-ran in V8 racing.
He seems to have a reputation for being a sooky whinger lacking in personality (which I have never agreed with) but I do wonder whether this has helped him to walk away. He seems to draw no enjoyment from the media circus and little from the adoration his success has brought.
Hopefully he can continue his success throughout the season and move on a happy man.