Rossi is belittling me, says Stoner
Stoner believes that Rossi has been making excuses against his dominant performance with Honda in 2011
REIGNING MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has said that Valentino Rossi has been trying to discredit his championship winning efforts with Repsol Honda.
“Valentino is saying and doing everything to belittle what I, my team, Honda did last year," said Stoner to Italian magazine Motosprint, "It’s not true that Honda spent a lot of money, because it’s not a company of stupid people.
"It would have made no sense to invest a lot on a bike, the 800cc, that would soon be retired, while the new 1000cc was being developed.
"As a matter of fact in 2011 Honda didn’t do much more than usual and the proof is that the 2011 bike wasn’t so different from the 2010 one, except for the gearbox and my bike remained practically the same throughout the season. The truth is that Honda already had a good bike even before my arrival, they just needed someone new to make the difference.”
Stoner also spoke candidly on his treatment at the hands of the media and how the public are showing him more respect for his performance last season: “Everything has changed very quickly. Previously I’d get nothing but mistrust from the media, and generally very little consideration for what I was doing and all the effort I was putting in and then Valentino and I switched bikes.
"He was on the one that I used for four years, and I was on the bike of my dreams to show the world what I’m capable of doing. This allowed me to let everyone understand that I could have also fought for the title and that I could have won at least another one.”
Discuss this story
Not what I've seen in actual televised interviews with Rossi. He was quite gracious and complimentary about Stoner and Honda.
True that Stoner indeared himself to the public and media with his performance last year. If only he'd quit whining for a change he might actually change the public's perception of him.
If you don't like it when people call you a knob, then stop being a knob. Simples :)
Posted: 25/01/2012 at 17:19
Stoner is a great rider but hes not an intelligent rider. Feedback on how to fix or develop a bike seems to be lacking. Thats why the ducati ended up like such a pig and thats why honda are keeping danny.
I'm a rossi fan but this doesnt have anything to do with the fact that stoner bitches way too much and comes across as a complete dunce. I imagine he was the kid at school who in design tech just used the biggest hammer he could find and bashed the living shit out of stuff until it broke. Because thats how he rides a bike. Its great to watch but its never going to develop anything forward imo.
Posted: 25/01/2012 at 17:28
No I'm not actually. Have to say, this is more than likely the Italian press trying to stir it. But, if it's true and NOT taken utterly out of context, then it's the first I've heard over the closed season. VR's been far too busy with other stuff, like, oh, I don't know, sorting out the new bike along with the rest of Bologna.
I don't agree that Stoner comes across as a dunce there mobus, I think he's certainly abrasive, and not the most media savvy of people, because he doesn't see it as "part of his job". Which, in this day and age, it most certainly is for all high profile sportsmen. But he's no fool.
Anyway, I trust everyone will be up early on Tuesday morning to watch what happens. I know I'll be glued to motogp.com.
Posted: 25/01/2012 at 17:53
Grow up Stoner who cares, you act like a total knob punching folk in the shoulder when riding, and crying about everything that dont go your way.t
The reason your not liked is you keep crying and moaning about everything Tosser!!!
For the record I am not a Rossi fan boy, I dont even like Moto GP its crap compared to BSB and WSB the now. Will see how the 1000cc goes hope it makes it better than watchin paint dry..
Posted: 25/01/2012 at 19:52
Maybe this is the Italian Media taking it out of whack, but i agree with Pagik. Stoner is very abrasive, but he's an Aussie sports personality so it shouldn't really come as a surprise. He *could* however cleanup money-wise if he'd look at the PR side of his job, and as others have stated, it is a part of the job now, like it or lump it, that's just how it is.
Rossi is a stunning rider and is a long way away past his prime, anyone looking at last season in isolation is frankly retarded and should have a lifetime ban on doing anything analytical imposed immediately.
I'd bet Ducati knew the bike was shot when Rossi rode it and they realised Stoner and his crew weren't talking rubbish, the bike had a problem. The question then turned to how to fix it, hopefully that will be answered in Sepang.
At the end of the day Stoner had two seasons of coming 4th on that machine with two underperforming Factory Hondas at the front, Rossi managed 7th with four factory hondas in-front, and he was essentially testing post assen, so anyone that writes the guy off is a complete mug.
I'm not taking anything away from Stoner though, as a rider, and to watch, he's utterly stunning but he could do with trying to be a bit more likable.
Posted: 25/01/2012 at 22:16
you guys a hilarious. Casey is just telling it like it is. Im always quite impressed with his frankness and what he says to the press. I like Rossi too, he's my fav for sure, but they're competitors you plods, they will have a go at each other. Rossi is the master at trying to get inside peoples heads, he usually wins too, Biaggi then Ginernau, but with Stoner it doesnt quite work becuase he is head strong. I think he's actually understated considering how good he is and how he's always played second fiddle to whoever he's been around. Stoner was never heiled as the next great, it was always Danni, and he's proved them all wrong, I reckon he has a right to be totally arrogant, which I dont think he is at all, you're all wrong. Rossi's cool with it, he knows the game. Its just racing and the banter, no neeed to be rude people. Jorge though, now there's a serious personality flop.
Posted: 26/01/2012 at 06:59
belittling ?
So Honda didnt go all out to win an 800cc title? fielding 4 full factory machines. more than any other manufacturer... course not!
i seem to remember Stoner telling Rossi on international tv that his ambition outweighed his talent...how belittling would you like to get?
and then he wonders why hes not the most liked ?
dont get me wrong he can obviously ride the wheels off a motorbike but he is a lot like a petulant child , he needs to grow up some
on the other hand now jorge has learned to be more restrained (atleast in public) and in my opinion is probably the most talented rider out there (if Rossi's sun is truely setting)...bet then again look at the sparing partner he had, and when ever he took a whooping he took it on the chin
Posted: 26/01/2012 at 09:16
Oh pyndman, you do make me titter so. Of course we all know it's sportsmanship (well, most of us do). Maybe Casey is starting it this year.....lets see who finishes it..
No doubt about the Rossi factor of him getting inside peoples head, Jesus, Biaggi is still petrified of the phantom #46 Honda, even in superbike!! People that know are not knocking Stoner, I certainly used to, but imo, back in the LCR days, he deserved it. Now, I'll happily admit he is a great talent, because he's grown into one. If you don't think so, then you clearly don't know alot about bike racing.
As for this "he's too head strong" thing. Stoner's starting it this year (if this HIGHLY dubious article is to be believed)..so does that mean he's worried about what VR might do this year, so is trying to out Rossi, Rossi? Let's hope so, because I'd love to see how that pans out for both of them over the year..as you rightly say, Rossi will be cool with it, we all know that. Bring on the season I say!!!
Anyway, Casey cannot be too upset about all this, after all, he is only little...
Posted: 26/01/2012 at 09:29
Coming to the media and complaining Rossi is belittling him is just playing into Rossi's hands. Rossi uses the media to his advantage, he's got them on his side, he uses them to beat his opponents before the lights go out on race day. He did it with Max and he did it with Sete.
Stoner should know better, he should say "really? Rossi said that? well I won the championship last year and he came 7th, I would have thought a 9 times world champion could pick who he rides for, no one forced him to go to Ducati"
Posted: 26/01/2012 at 11:06
people really need to think before they post such blunt bullshit here. Think about it - both stoner and Rossi have been world champions. They are both amazing riders. Rossi is very gracious and comes across rather modest for someone of his calibre, but the dog has had his day IMO. Stoner is new blood and he is a very good rider, even if he is a self indulgent loud mouth. He is whiny and needs to grow a pair, but that doesn't make him a bad rider. That just makes him an arse of a person. He is young and dumb and acts that way, like Rossi did 10 years ago, he'll calm down eventually but until then he does need to shut up more often than not.
Telling Rossi his enthusiasm outweighs his talent was a bad plan :-)
Posted: 31/01/2012 at 20:55
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