Two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner is in his third year of retirement, after walking away from the premier motorbike racing series aged 27, at the peak of his powers.
The reasons for Stoner’s decision are well documented: he had grown tired of the politics of Euro-centric sport and wanted a more leisurely life with his young family back in Australia.
Since then, Stoner has tried his hand at V8 Supercars but gave it away after one season, keeps active with Honda’s MotoGP program with a test-rider role, and recently announced a one-off return with the Japanese manufacturer at the Suzuka 8 Hours.
While Stoner appears to be enjoying the freedom of his semi-retirement, there is now the opportunity to return to MotoGP with the Respol Honda team he won the world championship with in 2011.
Stoner’s former teammate Dani Pedrosa has suggested he could step down from riding indefinitely as he struggles with chronic arm injuries. Pedrosa finished a disappointing sixth place in the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix and looks set to go under the knife for much-needed surgery.
So one of the most prized rides in motorbike racing is available, at a time when most riders are locked in to existing contracts.
If Stoner was ever tempted by a return to MotoGP, this is his golden chance.
A return would allow Stoner to go head-to-head with Spanish sensation Marc Marquez within the same team and on the same equipment. Marquez replaced Stoner at Repsol Honda and has claimed two from two championships in 2013 and 2014.
One wonders if Stoner is tempted to pit himself against Marquez to see how he matches up. After all, Marquez followed in Stoner’s footsteps in terms of not only success but also the spectacular way in which they ride a MotoGP bike.
Stoner has ridden the 2015 version of the RC213V Repsol Honda bike as part of his testing duties with the team, so he’s the most capable replacement for Pedrosa. And with Pedrosa set to return post-surgery, Stoner’s return doesn’t need to be on a full-time basis – he can still lay claim to be in semi-retirement.
Stoner will not only go up against Marquez but also a string of worthy opponents. Based on the results in Qatar, Stoner’s former Ducati team is on form, with a double-podium, and former foe Valentino Rossi took his Yamaha to victory.
Ultimately, though, it’s up to Stoner to put his hand up for the role. As we’ve seen since 2012, he’s resisted several comeback requests when it comes to MotoGP.
But this opportunity may never come up again, particularly if Stoner keeps knocking them back. At 29 years of age, it could be now or never for Stoner to make one final MotoGP appearance. Let’s hope it happens.
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