Stoner to retire

[pritch]

Just like the NZSBK to much background bullshit going on and he is not enjoying at anymore. Good on him I say, will make the silly season even more interesting later in the year.

The silly season is officially open.

[SimJen]

haha what a pussy!
maybe Rossi is going back to Honda and he couldn't work with him so he quit?

[merv]

Nah, the man is making a very smart decision and I can't see how its selfish when it opens up opportunities for a new person. He is effectively being the opposite of selfish by saying don't pay me any more (no doubt he has plenty of money now) give it to someone else. Good on him. Champions only go one way in the end when they get older and no doubt seeing Rossi crumble has probably been like an omen to Stoner - why wait long enough until you are slated in the media?

[roogazza]

Agree with you 100%. When the love is gone it's gone. All of the traction control, crt, fuel limits etc etc...he's obviously sick to death of it all. Never struck me as a guy that was interested in hanging around trying to beat records etc.

Hope he bows out on top. That'll be something Rossi will never match.

Gone by 2013 ! came true Crasher ! No surprise there.
Rossi will be hoping to get a few back on him before years end, maybe even this weekend ?
Who can blame Stoner for wanting to enjoy the money and his family.

[unstuck]

I thought this was a thread about me Good on him, ya gotta follow your heart.

[Mental Trousers]

Remember, he might only be 26 but he has effectively been motorcycle racing since he was 4 yrs old and as a full time professional since he was, what, about 13-14ish?
Long enough in anyones language I would have thought.

His first year in GP racing was 2003 in 125's so he's been around the GP paddock for 9 years. But in his early years he had an insane need to race. At 12 years old he did 35 races in one weekend and won 32 of them.

He's been racing and doing nothing but racing for a long time.

Have to agree with Maido, it is a very selfish decision, but I will disagree with the sentiment. I think good on him for understanding his priorities and having the kahunas to get out while on top and not just plug away because it is all he knows.

Screw selfish. Anyone who gets out with all their bits still functioning properly has his head screwed on. There's a whole lot of people that have had no choice in the matter cos they stayed too long.

The big question now is, who the hell is Crasher going to fall in love with next season haha.

Forget about Rossie going back to Honda, they wouldn't have him. Japanese pride and all that.

[yod]

Honda have already said they won't have Rossi back. Maybe Hayden will get another look in? Maybe Bradl if he shows good form for the rest of the year? There'll be a few chaps licking their chops.....

Stoner's young enough he could easily come back to the sport in a couple of years anyway, I wouldn't count that out.

[SimJen]

Honda have already said they won't have Rossi back. Maybe Hayden will get another look in? Maybe Bradl if he shows good form for the rest of the year? There'll be a few chaps licking their chops.....

Stoner's young enough he could easily come back to the sport in a couple of years anyway, I wouldn't count that out.

Stoner said he wasn't retiring last week! so anything is possible....although I don't see it happening!

[onearmedbandit]

At 12 years old he did 35 races in one weekend and won 32 of them.

That's legend material right there.

The big question now is, who the hell is Crasher going to fall in love with next season haha.

He candle will always burn for Stoner. So it will be 'yeah he wouldn't be doing so well if Stoner was still racing', and 'yeah he can slide a bike, but not like Stoner the one time I was watching over in Philip Island'.

[Crasherfromwayback]

That's legend material right there.




He candle will always burn for Stoner. So it will be 'yeah he wouldn't be doing so well if Stoner was still racing', and 'yeah he can slide a bike, but not like Stoner the one time I was watching over in Philip Island'.

Hate to tell ya mate...I've been to Phillip Island many times!

[5150]

Maybe Honda will snap up Lorenzo and Rossi will go back to Yamama?

[gixerracer]

Won't be Marquez, no rookies are allowed factory seats. Does it count if he wild cards before the end of the season? Also being that he is Spanish and repsol backed they will probably change the rules.

That is a serious waste of talent, and also a very selfish thing for Stoner to do. I understand that he wants to focus on family etc, but to take the millions and run is pretty poor I think.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[ktm84mxc]

A great rider but not a great racer all to easy for him to bleat,moan and bitch when minor things didn't go his way, have more respect for those who push through with lesser kit and why Rossi is one of my all time greats a true racer.

[onearmedbandit]

Hate to tell ya mate...I've been to Phillip Island many times!

Yeah well like whatever ok like.

[Oscar]

Hate to tell ya mate...I've been to Phillip Island many times!

I met him at Philip Island in 2004.
He wandered over to the teams viewing area at the bottom of MG during the 500 race.
He was a nice young chap, can't have been more'n 17.
I didn't even get a photo of him, 'cause his fan club turned up and I was too busy getting their pics...