It is no overstatement to say that Casey Stoner, and Honda, have dominated this year’s MotoGP championship. Despite a DNF that was not his fault in Jerez (Valentino Rossi knocked him over like a bowling pin), Stoner has won nine races and clinched the title with two races remaining. Honda swept the podium at Phillip Island in part thanks to the difficulties suffered by Yamaha over the weekend (resulting in a DNS for both Lorenzo and Spies), but Honda has also clearly deserved this Constructor’s title (again, clinched two rounds early).
With two races remaining, Stoner has that rare opportunity to win ten or more races in a single series (he has already accomplished this once by winning ten races in 2007 … aboard a Ducati, no less). Leaving aside his DNF at Jerez, Stoner has been on the podium at every round held so far this year. So you can add the word “consistency” to your description of this dominating season.
Will things change next year with the 1000cc bikes? Given that Honda seems well along with its development of next year’s bike, Stoner has to be the favorite to repeat his title, but things should certainly be more interesting in 2012.
Ben Spies and Marco Simoncelli have come on like gangbusters in their sophomore seasons, and as the two biggest/heaviest riders in MotoGP, they should welcome the mega-power and torque that should virtually erase any disadvantage they have had on the smaller machinery. Spies, in particular, with his AMA and WSB crowns aboard tuned 1000s should feel right at home. Lorenzo has also been quick on the Yamaha 1000cc prototype during testing, virtually matching Casey Stoner’s pace on the new Honda.
Rossi and Hayden over at Ducati have to be the big question mark for next year. While Rossi can certainly ride any displacement bike well (winning titles in the 990cc era), and Hayden’s style works better with the bigger displacement (he won his only title on a 990cc bike), Ducati seems dazed and confused at the moment. With their chassis alone, they have changed development direction so many times their heads must be spinning. They are certainly behind Honda and Yamaha in development of their 1000cc race bike.
I still remember Rossi’s comment about Casey Stoner: “he rides like a god”, and no doubt, Stoner is one of the most talented riders out there, who else can slide a motogp bike on the turns like him? awesome spectacle to see him ride.
Too bad I despise Honda. I’ll never forgive them for what they did t the 2 strokes. Well deserved win for Stoner though. He’s a monster talent.
Tough love huh?
maybe it will rain every race next year so we get some real racing to watch
Spies called it. I recall some interview almost a year ago where he was asked about Rossi’s chances on a Duc, and he said something along the lines of “It’s Stoner on a Honda that everyone should be worried about.”
Anyway, congrats to Caset Stoner. Fully deserving. You rode a good championship and made Puig lose face.
On a side note:
R.I.P Dan Wheldon.
Love Stoner. Another in a long list of great champions from Australia Corser,Bayliss, Mladin, Doohan…. Honda and Yamaha look well positioned for 2012. Ducati only does well in WSB where they have a displacement advantage. I think in 2 years Ducati could stop it’s MotoGP effort if it doesn’t succeed soon. At some point if you keep losing badly your MotoGP bike becomes a detriment to your sales strategy. Better to stay some place where you are guaranteed competitiveness like WSB then to get smashed in MotoGP
I think back to all the posts on this site at the beginning of the year regarding the slim chance Stoner had on a new bike against Lorenzo and his proven team. Stoner flat out cleaned his clock! I’m a Ducati guy but am very happy for Honda and Stoner. Shame on all those who said he was washed up. I’m hoping better for the Duacti team next year. A return to the 1000cc bike may level the field somewhat. Like most of the posts, I want to see close racing. If you are a fan of motorsport then MotoGP is the best of the best. F1 has gotten boreing for the most part. The mile dirt track is still exciting but gets very little air time on TV.
You’d think with Ducati dominating WSB, they could manage to put together a competitive GP bike when the 1000 cc machines return. I sure couldn’t have anticipated their difficulties this year. Hoping for a few more guys who can run with the aliens next year.
Everyone who’s thinking that Spies and Hayden will be instantly competitive on the bigger bikes is forgetting that electronics have developed quite nicely over the years. The little guys will be able to tune their bikes so to not be disadvantaged or high sided by the extra torque. While Spies will be in the hunt, so will Lorenzo and all the other current front runners. Betcha Nicki and Rossi are regretting signing with Ducati. They seem to have bitten off more than they can chew.
I agree, I don’t see an extra 200cc instantly leveling anything. Too many other variables that come into play. The lighter guys will always be the lighter guys. Close racing is great but let the slower teams find more power or lighter riders, everything else being the same, which we know it isn’t.
As someone who comes from Casey’s home town, it was great to see him come back after a hard couple of years. However, I agree with the comments above – a close championship is in the sports best interests and its never good if one person is too dominant. It was great to see Suzuki on the pace, and it was awful to see Lorenzo’s hand injury. It may take him a while to come back from that, as his ability to grip the bars may be a problem.
As someone who comes from Casey’s home town, it was great to see him come back after a hard couple of years. However, I agree with the comments above – a close championship is in the sports best interests and its never good if one person is too dominant. It was great to see Suzuki on the pace, and it was awful to see Lorenzo’s hand injury. It may take him a while to come back from that, as his ability to grip on the bars may be a problem.
Thanks for the spoiler alert. :/
Although I respect Stoner’s uncanny skills on the Honda, I’m glad this season is about to end. Hopefully 2012 will be more competitive, with more riders mixing it up for those coveted podium finishes. Stoner’s oft-repeated drill — to disappear ahead of the pack, leaving them in dust — might satisfy his fans but does nothing to create racing excitement and attract new viewers to MotoGP (something the sport desperately needs).
Congratulations!
But I like Lorenzo
Good luck to spies and hayden with the new rules.
No, i’m not american, they deserve.
casey won this championship like doohan use too…….. well done mate… shows how hard he had to ride that ducati the last several years, prior to jumping on the honda
It’s too easy to say someone is the best rider that ever was. I’m not claiming this of Stoner (or Rossi), but Stoner’s discipline and obvious natural talent are unbelievable. Watching the slow motion videos of him at speed is breath-taking. Congrats, Casey.
congratulations to Casey on a great year!!! i agree about the “best ever” observation, also. don’t really believe there is a best of all time, but there has a best of their own times. we have seen many of those, and will see many more.