It has been five long years since Aussie MotoGP legend Casey Stoner made the shock announcement that he’d be walking away from the premier class of grand prix motorcycle racing.
A polarising career that berthed two world titles at the highest level, had seemingly come to a premature end – while the Queenslander was still at the height of the category.
Dissatisfied with the intense media scrutiny and perhaps disillusioned over safety, following the tragic demise of Italian rider Marco Simoncelli in 2011 – Stoner hung up his helmet at the conclusion of the 2012 season.
Since then, the now 30-year-old made a debut on the Australian touring car scene, bearing little fruit in the end. A single and very lacklustre season in the Supercars’ Development Series across 2013, saw Stoner then step away from competitive racing once again.
While the world of MotoGP was being stunned by the dual-world champion’s replacement at the factory Honda squad in Marc Márquez, Stoner continued to ride for the Honda Racing Corporation – testing machinery for the young Spaniard.
Five years later, the familiar number 27 rides again with the outfit that he had brought so much success too in the form of Ducati. Albeit in the capacity of a test rider.
This coincides with the continual revival of the infamous Panigale, whom with the guidance of new General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna, have arguably produced their most competitive bike since 2010.
Ducati were finally able to achieve their first victory in MotoGP since Stoner’s triumph at his home circuit of Phillip Island in 2010. The outgoing Andrea Iannone was the one to take the spoils at the most recent Austrian Grand Prix, where the Desmosedici asserted its superior power over the competition.
The elephant in the room remains then as with a competitive bike on the table, will Stoner make a wildcard appearance at any point this season?
An opportunity was presented for the race in Spielberg, whereby with the knowledge that they’d have some success, Ducati lodged a third entry alongside Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso. The entry was declined by the Aussie and taken up by their incumbent test rider in Michele Pirro.
What currently works against Stoner at the moment, is the fact his physical fitness is supposedly not at the level of being able to ride at the helm over a MotoGP race distance. D
ucati manager Dall’Igna himself stated earlier in the season that “he has also had some physical problems, he still lacks strength. It wouldn’t make any sense to enter him in a race.”
Stoner’s old stomping ground at the legendary ‘Island’ stands then as the potential location for a competitive return in MotoGP. Already entrenched within the history of the circuit with his six consecutive victories, including four for Ducati – the page for a seventh remains open and unwritten.
Fitness will be key at the grueling 4.4km track, hailed by many in motorcycling circles as the best in the world. With just over two months ahead of the Phillip Island event, there is perhaps sufficient time for the Aussie to prepare.
A positive for Stoner will be that during the previous running of the Australian Grand Prix, Iannone finished on the podium having run strongly with the leaders through the 27 laps.
Even if eventuates to a single wildcard card entry at this year’s Australian Grand Prix, seeing Stoner aboard a Ducati race wheel-to-wheel against the likes of Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo and the wily old Valentino Rossi would be an astonishing sight.
Whether or not he feels the competitive edge to attain temporary glory, will be something to wait arduously for.
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