Casey Stoner after finishing fifth at Sepang Moto GP test
Casey Stoner embarrasses Moto GP grid but continues to play down comeback, despite being perfectly placed to do a wildcard race in 2016
‘I’m not looking to put in a soft tyre and chase a lap time. When you’re competing you get the urge to crush the opposition. I don’t need to at this point’
Two-times Moto GP world champ Casey Stoner made a devastating return to the Moto GP paddock last week, making most of his rivals look slow, even though he hadn't ridden a race bike for more than six months. During his first major outing since his retirement at the end of 2012 and his first ride since an horrific crash at last July's Suzuka Eight Hours, the 30-year-old Aussie was immediately on the pace, just half-a-second behind Valentino Rossi and two hundredths slower than full-time Ducati Moto GP rider Andrea Iannone. And all of this on last year's Desmosedici... The breathtakingly talented former champion glowed with satisfaction after proving he's lost none of his speed. Speaking to MCN, Stoner said: 'It was a little disappointing last year with a few comments being thrown about that there was no way I would be competitive if I came back to do a race. And at Sepang it has been even longer away and I am still just as competitive. 'I've often had some doubts in my mind about my speed so in some ways my times were surprising. But once I get on track and I'm comfortable with the bike then I know how to go fast. 'The hardest thing is always getting that last bit of speed out of the bike but I think a few people will now think twice before talking about whether I would be competitive or not if I raced.' But despite his stunning pace and clear gratification from being so competitive, Stoner was keen to quash any rumours suggesting he is planning a full-time comeback. He added: 'Honestly, I have no plans to race. My role has completely changed now; I'm not looking for those final tenths. I'm not an engineer but I'm taking on that role at the same time as being a test rider. So far it's been really positive and every step we've made we've found answers, one way or the other. Years ago, if I wasn't going to race I wanted to get an engineering degree, so it'd be nice to learn a lot more.' The subject of Stoner's pace and racing future became all-encompassing for the Moto GP paddock, with journalists from around the globe spending more time trying to get an answer from the Australian than they did focusing on the on-track exploits of regulars Lorenzo, Marquez, Rossi and Co. Stoner was at pains to stress he had no intention to race whenever he was asked, but MCN understands that terms, including a financial package, are already in place within his Ducati testing contract to allow him to make a wildcard appearance should he change his mind. Ducati boss Gigi Dall'Igna has made it clear he would love to see Stoner line up on the grid and while the man himself said he has no plans, there can be no denying he isn't at least thinking about it. 'The biggest thing is my fitness, that is what I am struggling with. If I tried to race now I would probably be able to do six fast laps and that would be it,' added Stoner, who still has back and kidney concerns following his huge Suzuka get-off.
Will he or won’t he?
Moto GP riders are humans, not quite like the rest of us, but humans nonetheless. Which means they can change their minds, just like the rest of us. Stoner would not be the first rider to retire, spend years taking it easy, then surrender to his inner speed demon and return to the racetrack. His stunning ride at Sepang was in itself a major about-turn. When he quit Michelin at the end of 2006 and Ducati at the end of 2010 he had harsh words for both companies. But there he was last week, riding a Michelin-equipped Ducati and loving every minute. Like all top racers, Stoner has castiron self-belief and would've had no doubt whatsoever that he was going to leave his former rivals slack-jawed with admiration at Sepang. And now all of us have no doubt that he could contest his home GP at Phillip Island in October and beat the lot of them. At Sepang he repeatedly denied he has any such plans. Will he feel that way after next month's test at Qatar?
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‘People will now think twice before saying I wouldn’t be competitive’