Casey Stoner Given Green Light To Race - If He Wants To
Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has said repeatedly that he has no desire to race in the 2016 MotoGP season, sticking with the line that he’s a test rider and brand ambassador. However, Motorsport.com is reporting that should he change his mind for whatever reason, “you can’t tell him no,” said Ducati Corse team boss Gigi Dall’Igna.
At the recent MotoGP test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, Stoner set the fastest time of all Ducati riders aboard last year’s GP15, prompting many to question his intent on remaining a test rider. For his part, Dall’Igna admits having a rider of Stoner’s caliber is a tremendous benefit when it comes to acclimating to the new MotoGP technical regulations, but is also acutely aware that Ducati’s primary goal is to win the championship. When asked about Stoner’s speed over the team’s two Andreas, he noted, “We can’t be afraid of someone coming and demonstrating that he’s better than us.”
We wouldn’t be surprised if Stoner made a one-off wild-card appearance on the grid sometime this season, especially if one of the main riders gets injured, but we’re skeptical he’d consider making a full-time comeback.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
More by Troy Siahaan
Comments
Join the conversation
The two Andreas should be feeling some motivational pressure, I guess. I hope Ducati go well this year. They probably will.
What if Stoner developments a bike that only he can ride?