As Casey Stoner watches from the sidelines, his replacement at the factory Honda MotoGP team, Marc Marquez, is crushing the opposition in his second season in the premier class.
The 21-year-old Spanish sensation won the MotoGP title in his rookie campaign last year, beating established teammate Dani Pedrosa, two-times champion Jorge Lorenzo and grand prix great Valentino Rossi in the process.
He has started his title defence with two wins from two races, despite recovering from a pre-season broken leg. Armed with factory backing from Honda and the quickest grand prix bike on the grid, Marquez looks unstoppable.
The scary thing for his opponents is that he will improve with age. It appears his rivals can’t match Marquez’s elbow-scrapping and incredible lean-angle cornering, so barring serious injury he could go on to dominate the series for years to come.
Unless Stoner returns, Lorenzo finds a Honda equal to Marquez’s, or another young gun progresses into the premier class, MotoGP will be Marquez’s domain.
Stoner left a void that Marquez filled after the Aussie walked away from MotoGP at the end of 2012, disillusioned with the series and seeking a private life away from the spotlight. After winning two championships for both Ducati and Honda, Stoner tried his hand at V8 Supercars in 2013 but struggled to make an impression in the second-tier Development Series as he came to grips with four wheels.
Stoner, who seems to be enjoying life away from racing with his young family, attended the recent Grand Prix of the Americas as a spectator, where he witnessed Marquez crush the field. But only the Australian presently has the talent to get anywhere near Marquez, as there are many similarities in their riding styles.
Stoner has what many described as a peculiar style, sliding through high-speed corners with incredible throttle application. Like Marquez, he has the perfect slender build to ride in MotoGP, with a fearless approach that saw neither rider intimidated by the likes of Rossi and Lorenzo.
As Stoner watches Marquez dominate race after race, one wonders if it will stir his competitive juices sufficiently to have him contemplate a comeback.
At 28 years old, Stoner still has time on his side. But the longer he stays away from racing, the harder it will be for him to return to the top. He’s on the record as saying he misses the racing and bikes but not the politics of the series, so there’s no inkling from the Aussie that a return is likely in 2015 or beyond.
But a Marquez-Stoner battle, preferably with the same equipment in the same team, would be a huge benefit to MotoGP.
Let’s hope Stoner has a change of heart and sets up the battle we all want to see.
hugo
Guest
I totally agree DANNO ..Casey stoner is a MASTER .THE KING OF motorcycling. ..! N I hope to see 1 day marc marques riding a moto gp ducati , lets see if he does the same what the master " mrs casey " did ...?! I would love if the master " casey stoner " change is mind n decide 2 return 2 moto gp n 2015 with susuky ;casey wins , beats everyone include marc ..! Anyways ..I totally understand casey , our family should always comes first ..
danno
Guest
I dont think Casey needs to come back, what if he couldnt win, would he then stay in the championship neglecting his family. I truley think he is one of the best riders of all time, Rossi is great the number of championships speaks for itself, but could he ever win on the Ducatti?? Stoner....Joined Ducati in 2007 and won the championship, joined Honda in 2011 and won the championship, the only reason he didnt win more was due to his ill health, and missing races, what ever anyone says about him off the track - his riding speaks for himself! Where did Stoners teamates finish in comparison to him on the Ducati?? How many greats have gone to Ducati and got anywhere near a championship win?? Watch Casey on an infeior bike beat Rossi in catalunya 2007, the way he rides that thing is just unbelievable! Also phillip island! Marquez is great and so similar to Casey, but honestly, with Caseys mature head and experience I think he could beat him! They both have the never give up die attitude. But I don't think Casey could do it, he can't deal with the politics or the thought of neglecting his family. If he could I'd say come back, if not, carry on what your doing Casey
dl
Guest
take the computers away. give the riders throttle, clutch and brakes. thats it.
Jason Wotherspoon
Guest
Casey should come back to moto gp....he is sadly missed. marc marquez maybe be winning, but he will never be as good as casey, or have the talent casey has and had.
Tony
Guest
Matt, Was he a whinger, or did he just have the balls to tell it like it was and not pander to the media and tow the line like all the others do. He wasn't paid to be nice, he was paid to win races, which he had a habit of doing with ease. Doesn't matter what people say, In the time he was in MotoGP, he made the so called GOAT look pedestrian. the record speaks for itself. Its a shame he retired because MotoGP is suffering for it
Neil Jeffery
Guest
You on the Ducati, could do it!
Matt Rogerson
Guest
I always blew hot and cold with Stoner. He was an excellent talent, the only man in however many years to tame the Ducati (something Rossi proved he couldn't do). But (and maybe this is more of a cultural thing) he always came across to me and my english friends as a whinger. By that I don't necessarily mean a bad loser - he never seemed to have a smile on his face. He complained whether he came 1,2,3 or nowhere. He was great but I didn't see that passion that Vale, Lorenzo, Marquez, Simoncelli clearly have (had in the case of Simoncelli, RIP). Also there were the spats. Not just Stoner but Lorenzo too - they didn't like it up 'em. When someone gets in close, elbows and knees, tries for something exciting...for Stoner (and Lorenzo) they were a danger. I like to see racing and I like to see battles. Element of danger? Sure, but they all knew that from the off (we've seen some high profile deaths over the years) and they still continue in the sport. So (despite the clickbait attempt) I kind of see where fee bee is coming from. Also, I like Marquez. He's young, talented and exciting. I like seeing him do well and...I don't think a returning Stoner would be able to compete with him, frankly.
Richard Kennedy
Roar Rookie
I think you might be serving it up to the Spanish rider a bit hard?? Did you watch the race last night? where he rode from 10th to win by seconds, you just can't argue, the kid can ride. I noticed he had to pass a couple of Factory Honda's with EX World Champions riding them. Not to mention a couple of Works Yamaha's with EX World Champs riding them. Oh and I just remembered he passed a Works Ducati with another EX riding that. As the great Murray Walker used to say, "Catching is one thing, passing is something else".
Tex
Guest
100 Percent correct. Stoner has nothing to prove. Marquez - the best rider on the best bike.
LarryR
Guest
I seem to remember it was Casey who recommended Marc as the replacement for him at Honda.
jorge
Guest
Well for sure there will be no racing at the front.Unless he comes back.....Question are they still riding on Sundays??
Stumpy
Roar Rookie
Marquez has been give the easiest and most jewel encrusted ride to the top of the sport then any rider ever he is a great talent but has never done anything on anything other then the very best the sport has to offer. Hell they even changed the rookie rule for him as I said before it;'s hardly a sport anymore. The target audience and advertisers are served not the sport, it's a pale version of what it once was. Casey shouldn't come back it is farcical. When Moto needs another winner be it rider or manufacturer they'll simply change a tyre construction, fuel or weight requirement that will suit one or another making other teams have to spend massive dollars in development.
Tyren
Guest
Yeah I don't think Stoner needs to come back at all. He was the best at his time, but I honestly think him coming back would make him 2nd best. Marquez has, in my opinion, made more of an impact than Stoner did. I think if Stoner came back, he wouldn't be remembered as the best anymore, because he's not.
Stumpy
Roar Rookie
The Moto Series has become the most easily manipulated series on the world stage, one tyre manufacturer, ecu fuel constraints etc easy the tip the balance toward one frame type more then another or one engine manufacturer more then another. It's not a sport anymore it's fast moving advertising.
Margaret M
Guest
Seems To much to talk agree Let the riders To their Thing & race . Why do some watch enjoy Then seem to down talk some riders who may ride well or race well. There is only room for a few Right at The top ,if there for a while or for a short time Also sadly many do not live to talk about their achievements I for one could not do what any of These Moto GP riders , Moto 2 & Motor 3 do . They are on the edge There must be more then the good bike The brand of tyres & those behind the scenes There is Skill & determination & knowing when to stop racing . If any rider - sports person wishes to stop it is Their Choice to stop. Their choice to race Agree Those who made any of these grades Let them race The younger ones seem to race at 16 - 17 if one wants & can why not at 26 - 27 , 36 -37 If all pass the fitness & paper work & other details needed Let them race in the Moto 2 & Moto 3. My Hope though is watch & hear more about these 2 wheels & riders more about Moto 2 & Moto 3 When Where can I &, may be others see more & hear more in the media Go Aussies
Scotty
Guest
Leave Casey to help raise his family in peace. There's no need for him to end up old at 40 due to repeated injuries, as so many of the riders and champs of the past have been at retirement. Its up to the others to catch Marquez, just like it was up to the others to catch Lawson, Doohan and Rossi in thier prime. Hell maybe I'm too old or been spoiled by watching the racing from about 1982 onwards - its not for nothing us oldies (I'm all of 47!) look back on that era as a great time - the racing was fantastic in all of the classes. And now for a rant - I HATE the idea that Moto2 and Moto3 are age restricted. Its one of the greatest glories of Grand Prix racing going all the way back to 1947 and Les Armstrong that was have had specialists in the smaller classes, and those guys were not looked down upon in any way. It required different skills to ride a 125 than a 500, and guys like Neito, Provini and Shepherd, and Anderson had those skills. Open up Moto2 and Moto3 and lets see if these guys are really the best.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
This is what I don't get... Everyone complained when Lorenzo and Stoner dominated the championship, hoping someone would come in and shake things up. Marquez did that, and did it in fantastic style this year and last year. Now everyone is complaining about his dominance. I'm sorry I don't subscribe to that theory. It is now up to Lorenzo, Rossi, Pedrosa and the others to improve and take it to him.
Phil Meballbag
Guest
Fee bee, You must be one of those hating Rossi fanboys to make a claim like that or you not know the sport. Define bad loser , is that someone who crashes the Ducati 12 times out of 18 races and publicly blames the Ducati ?
Margaret M
Guest
My thoughts. We need to hear /see more in all forms of the media about Moto Gp & Moto 2 & Moto 3 We do have Aussies racing & may have more if we knew more about ,when & where we can watch or hear about these great Moto GP ,Moto 2 & Moto 3 races Not every one has access to TV stations out side the main stream. More information Please we will have at least more following these races I Do enjoy Moto GP when I can see or find Moto GP on TV
fee bee
Guest
Err, sorry but Stoner was not the Icon you seem to feel he was, his return would add nothing to the sport. there are much more talented younger riders deserve the ride. he was a bad loser and full of excuses in in final year.