This marks Casey Stoner’s final appearance on two wheels.
The 27-year-old enjoys popularity primarily due to his fearless riding style, which shines at its most exhilarating around the sweeping, high-speed oceanside circuit, rather than for his personality.
Hailing from Kurri Kurri, he is the least expressive and outgoing motorcycle champion since Mick Doohan, another Australian world champion known for his reticent nature during his five-year tenure from 1994 to 1998.
Accomplishing his first of two world championships, Casey Stoner made his name riding unpredictable Ducatis, machines that have yet to be tamed by any rider. Even the legendary Valentino Rossi, who took over Stoner’s position at the Italian team last year, has been humbled by the feisty red bikes.
Stoner proved the naysayers wrong who labelled him a one-dimensional rider by securing his second MotoGP title last year on a significantly less volatile Honda.
The superior manners of his Japanese motorcycle haven’t dampened his spirited performance, which is particularly noticeable on the 4.4 kilometre course at Phillip Island.
After announcing in May his unexpected retirement decision at the season’s end in Valencia, Spain, in two weeks—driven by his disenchantment with the constant travel and interruptions of the 18-race MotoGP series—he suffered a significant ligament tear in his right ankle during a crash at Indianapolis in August.
His 2009 health crisis, later diagnosed as lactose intolerance, didn’t tarnish his reputation back home, as he still rose to the occasion at Phillip Island.
Though he can express strong opinions when needed, he generally feels uneasy around the media and tends to be quite reserved.
At a media conference on Thursday, where he discussed the honor of having the third turn of the track renamed Stoner Corner, no questions were permitted, and the moderated session lasted less than seven minutes.
When asked to convey a message to fans coming to bid him farewell, Stoner paused and glanced at his PR representative. Following a brief discussion, the interviewer was informed that he preferred not to respond—despite the fact that the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, which promotes the Phillip Island MotoGP, had requested the video clip.
He may face a challenging adjustment next year if he accepts an opportunity in V8 Supercars, a realm that offers fans and media much greater access than he has experienced within the MotoGP realm.
by Terence Johns
