I know this is a Panigale (Ducati) forum BUT .. Stoner retires!!

[GIrish]

Let's face it guys, he whines. He makes a lot of money to ride a state of the art motorcycle in the most glorious places in the world, with a pandering crew, and still finds things to complain about. That can be said about most of the prima donnas in MotoGP too of course. But in my profession, we spend up to 15 months getting shot at and blown up for dubious reasons in the world's various shitholes, and don't complain about conditions and missing our families as much as he does. If one of my guys asked if he could sit out a mission for lactose intolerance, I'd tell him to prepare for a court-martial. But none of them ever would, and those missions can last days or weeks in seriously ...... conditions.

That's a bit of spurious comparison don't you think? There's a reason work in the military is called 'service' and what GP riders do is called 'sport'. Professional sport is an optional competition, meant to entertain. Participants in that sport are doing it for their personal enjoyment and a pay check. They are not doing it to further the cause of freedom and liberty for their countrymen.

If someone competing in a sport decides it's not worth it for them anymore and they quit, who are they hurting? The fans? Someone else will come to play the sport in their place. Meanwhile, if you've got a family and decide not to spend time with them, a few decades from now when you're looking back with regret that you didn't get to know your children, the fans certainly can't give you those years back.

I knew of a guy who was a big executive at a consumer products company. He had a TON of money, showed up to the track in a semi with his 500-600 hp purpose-built racecar to play racecar driver. And you know what his big regret was? That he wasn't closer to his children. That he gave up too much to be Mr. Successful Business Executive.

Now, if someone is sacrificing their family time to serve their country, that's a different story. You are giving of yourself so that others may live better. And even in that case, if someone who has served for awhile and paid his dues decides that he wants to build a family instead, I wouldn't knock him.

Not looking for any sympathy either for my job, I do it for my own reasons. I added that just for a little perspective on the conversation and to make the point that he could show a little more intestinal fortitude and be more of a team player given his fortuitous circumstances. Sorry for the rambling rant!

Team player? What about the team of his family? Stoner's family sacrificed a lot so that he could be successful. Why is it now wrong that he has decided it is time for him to sacrifice for his family?

Also, as to Stoner's lactose intolerance, had he known that was what it was from the start I doubt it would've been a problem. Not knowing what was the problem was why he took time off to get it sorted.

 

[jjmontesanto]

That's a bit of spurious comparison don't you think?

I don't think it's spurious at all. The point was none of these guys really has anything to complain about in the grand scheme of things, yet he still manages to. I think it was appropriate to point out what may be worthy of complaint, and it also helps clarify what I think is whining. They live the live's of giants, and complain about the most trivial things.

Team player? What about the team of his family? Stoner's family sacrificed a lot so that he could be successful. Why is it now wrong that he has decided it is time for him to sacrifice for his family?

It seems like every race I see, the (gorgeous, ) wife is there with him (in a palacial motorhome probably) . . .I haven't seen mine in 8 months at this point, with more coming.

Also, as to Stoner's lactose intolerance, had he known that was what it was from the start I doubt it would've been a problem. Not knowing what was the problem was why he took time off to get it sorted.

Oh, I didn't realize he didn't know. But seriously, that amounts to a case of the ..... and some gas. I've seen guys on combat patrol with worse not tapping out.

Good discussion G.

 

[DuckRyda]

i love Ducati but Rossi needs to go back to Honda or Yamaha. i miss the old exciting races.

 

[GIrish]

It seems like every race I see, the (gorgeous, ) wife is there with him (in a palacial motorhome probably) . . .I haven't seen mine in 8 months at this point, with more coming.

Yeah my dad did 6 month deployments while I was growing up. It certainly isn't easy to deal with extended TDY's. But for someone in racing the equation works out a little bit differently because they have a choice, and again they're not in the service. I suspect that's why so few GP riders are even married, it's a tough decision to make.

Oh, I didn't realize he didn't know. But seriously, that amounts to a case of the ..... and some gas. I've seen guys on combat patrol with worse not tapping out.

Good discussion G.

I'm lactose intolerant too and that was my first thought. I was thinking at most you'd get an embarrassing case of explosive diarrhea on the podium. But apparently he might've had more of a milk allergy, in which case you would get other, more difficult to diagnose symptoms. I know Ben Bostrom had that problem for an extended period (and it was adversely affecting his riding) before he figured out what it was.

 

[turnone]

I've said it before, Stoner maybe super fast, but taking a mid season break to work on 'lactose intolerance' isn't cool and isn't motorcycling that I know and love. Look at Doohan and what he endured to race at the top.

Simi was the future of MotoGP and that hurts more than anything. MotoGP management is ....... up the sport with the CRT and whatever else. I'd rather see 12 bikes and top riders on factory equipment.

I gave up watching WSBK years ago, I may have to switch back (like someone already mentioned).

I personally don't want to see Stoner retire, I'd like someone to go ride their ass off and beat him to shut him up with the trash talking. He is boring on the track and annoying off track, at least from my perspective. He may a nice person IRL, but it takes more than that to be the best on a bike and be respected by the majority. Rossi was a hell of a lot more fun to see ride.

Chris

 

[GIrish]

I've said it before, Stoner maybe super fast, but taking a mid season break to work on 'lactose intolerance' isn't cool and isn't motorcycling that I know and love. Look at Doohan and what he endured to race at the top.

He who has never taken a sick day off in their life, cast the first stone. I certainly don't think Stoner is as hard as Doohan, Schwantz, Rainey, and crew but the guy took a break, got his health sorted out, then came back and kicked ass. If that's what he thought he needed to do, I'm not gonna sit on my armchair and pretend I know better than him or call him a pussy. The guy is 5th all time on the premier class wins chart, he's earned the right to call the shots for himself.

Simi was the future of MotoGP and that hurts more than anything. MotoGP management is ....... up the sport with the CRT and whatever else. I'd rather see 12 bikes and top riders on factory equipment.

Problem with that is, if Moto GP only had 12 bikes this season it would've violated contracts with the promoters at the tracks. And with only 12 bikes, viewership and attendance would've taken major hits. If those take a hit, sponsorship takes a big hit too. After 1 or 2 seasons of that you'd certainly lose teams and that would mean no championship at all.

I personally don't want to see Stoner retire, I'd like someone to go ride their ass off and beat him to shut him up with the trash talking. He is boring on the track and annoying off track, at least from my perspective. He may a nice person IRL, but it takes more than that to be the best on a bike and be respected by the majority. Rossi was a hell of a lot more fun to see ride.

Chris

That in a nutshell, is why there may never be another Rossi. He was truly a once in a lifetime personality. Unfortunately we'll never know if Stoner was a once in a lifetime talent.

 

[jjmontesanto]

Yeah my dad did 6 month deployments while I was growing up. It certainly isn't easy to deal with extended TDY's. But for someone in racing the equation works out a little bit differently because they have a choice, and again they're not in the service. I suspect that's why so few GP riders are even married, it's a tough decision to make.

I see your point, although I may not completely buy it, for reasons I'm sure you can relate to. I'm just pissed I'm not gonna get to see that dream season with the four riders I mentioned earlier battling it out on the track.

 

[GIrish]

I see your point, although I may not completely buy it, for reasons I'm sure you can relate to. I'm just pissed I'm not gonna get to see that dream season with the four riders I mentioned earlier battling it out on the track.

To me that's the real rub, we're going to be cursed to always wonder 'what if Stoner had stayed'. There'll be never-ending arguments all over the world over that question. Now no one can ever really be the GOAT because it'll be like, "well, what if Stoner had won more titles..."

 

[jjmontesanto]

He's confirming his reputation by retiring IMO. And yes, he's a whiner by most people's definition that I work with. Notice above, I didn't spare any other riders from that definition either. So yes, Rossi is a whiner too, Stoner's just gained a worse reputation on it for some reason. Oh, I don't know, maybe because it's true? We likely just have vastly different definitions for the word. Different strokes for different folks right?

 

[Wallaroo]

What's the talk over there mate about Stoner retiring?? Im sure alot of his fans there are shocked ... but the Phil Is. GP will be an amazing weekend for him and you guys Im sure.

Today I spent the day with the Panigale and a heap of Ductisti, both Stoner and Rossi fans and all of them are shatttered.
all agreed that nobody rides a bike like him and seeing him ride a bike around a track was awesome.
Every one is heading to PI because of this and I am sure it is going to a amazing weekend, just need that bloody Island to turn on the weather for it

This really say's it all........http://www.motomatters.com/analysis/2012/05/18/2012_le_mans_motogp_thursday_round_up_on.html

 

[Trinity636]

today i spent the day with the panigale and a heap of ductisti, both stoner and rossi fans and all of them are shatttered.
All agreed that nobody rides a bike like him and seeing him ride a bike around a track was awesome.
Every one is heading to pi because of this and i am sure it is going to a amazing weekend, just need that bloody island to turn on the weather for it:d

this really say's it all........2012 Le Mans MotoGP Thursday Round Up: On Casey Stoner's Retirement | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

great article!

 

[Wallaroo]

Thanks Trinity, I thought so to.

One of the main reasons for Casey retiring was because of the .... he copped for the Lactose thing.
We are pretty lucky down here because we possible get to see interviews that the rest of the world doesnt and in one interview Casey said to Daryl Beattie, I was so sick that I could hardly hang on to my bike and it was then that I realized that here I am racing at over 300km/hr and I am becoming a danger to everyone else on the track, including myself.
Casey actually vomited in his helmet, now as a volunteer fire fighter who specilizes in building fires I have to wear a mask. Now if I had to go to a fire suffering from this I know I would be putting my team and myself at risk so I wouldnt do it, am I a wimp for not doing it or am I being respectful to the people around me.
The fact is Casey is leaving MotoGP and the truth is it is a sad loss as it will be when Rossi retires.
Also remember the press ask the questions the riders dont just say what they say with out reason.....lets hope there is some good racing this weekend and it would be great to see Vale up there again.

 

[jjmontesanto]

Umm, I would want you around if you were firefighter and there was a fire even if you were a little sick, at least to hold the hose or something.

So what about all of the people on the team, the mechanics and engineers, PR people, floor sweepers - everybody that makes a living directly or indirectly from him riding in competition. He leaves, the MotoGP series is lesser for it (which it definitely will be), viewership and therefore sponsorship recede, maybe a few guys/girls at the bottom of the food chain lose their job because he got his feelings by the press. Is that respectful?

It's all academic anyway, and we're all gonna have our own opinion of the guy based on our own backgrounds and biases.

I grew up watching Wayne Gardener and Mick Doohan, and I guess I'm just disappointed he's not a bit more like them in some respects (not talking talent here, but off the bike).

 

[Wallaroo]

Ever tried holding one of those hoses even when you are not sick.

I have always been under the impression that you should give 100% in whatever you do and when you are as sick as he was then that is impossible and that applies to any danger job that you undertake.....my team would not want to carry me if I was only working at 80% or less at what ever job I was asked to do and I wouldnt ask them to do it either.

Racing with broken bones healing is way different to racing when you are physically sick, Casey tried that for about 4 races and it wasnt working and because he had no idea what was wrong made it even worse...so he made the decision to go away and find out what was the problem. So he did then came back and you saw the results....he is only in this sport to win races and he wasnt doing that and that is his job.

Of course this is only a discussion, trouble is it is over the internet, how much nicer it would be if it was around a campfire after a race with a beer in your hand surrounded by a group of like minded people with different opinions

 

[jjmontesanto]

Of course this is only a discussion, trouble is it is over the internet, how much nicer it would be if it was around a campfire after a race with a beer in your hand surrounded by a group of like minded people with different opinions

Yup, couldn't agree more. If you ever to make it the US, I'd love to buy ya beer or twelve and have a good debate about Stoner's place in the long list of great Aussie riders.

 

[Wallaroo]

Yup, couldn't agree more. If you ever to make it the US, I'd love to buy ya beer or twelve and have a good debate about Stoner's place in the long list of great Aussie riders.

Cheers mate, the first one is on me

I lived in the US for about 4 yrs and it is about time I went back and caught up with some good mates as the furtherest they like to go is Mexico.....we might be chatting about Arthur Sissis next