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MotoGP
MOTOGP: Rossi And Lorenzo React To Stoner Stunner
Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, two of Casey Stoner's fiercest rivals, comment on the champ's decision to hang up his leathers.
Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner (Photo: HRC)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 4 of the MotoGP World Championship from Le Mans, France will air LIVE on SPEED on Sunday, May 20 at 8:00am ET. Qualifying will air LIVE all season long on SPEED2. #SPEEDmoto
When Casey Stoner rocked the world of MotoGP with his retirement announcement in Le Mans earlier today two of his great rivals where sitting beside him.
Seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was present at the pre-event press conference for the stunning turn, as was 2010 World Champion Jorge Lorenzo.
Rossi and Stoner have fought many brutal battles, not least the breathtaking contest the pair staged at the 2008 US Grand Prix in Laguna Seca.
But since he switched to Honda from Ducati at the beginning of 2011, Stoner has been the man to beat while Rossi's performances have declined, the great Italian unable to win at Ducati.
Despite this Rossi echoed the thoughts of the sport with his immediate reaction to Stoner's intention to retire at the end of the current season while at the peak of his career.
"It is a big surprise for me but also for everybody," Rossi said. "It is bad news for the MotoGP world because at the end of the season we will lose one great rider and one great rival. It is negative but it is his own decision."
Lorenzo has inherited Rossi's mantle as the number one rider at Yamaha and the Spaniard is widely regarded as the Stoner's only week-in, week-out, rival who can push the Aussie for race wins and the championship.
Lorenzo said, "I think it is a surprise for me and for everyone and I didn’t expect it. I heard the rumors and while it was a possibility I thought Casey would continue riding next year. This decision is not good news for MotoGP but his decision is to live quietly with his family and we must respect this."
Since he came to MotoGP at the beginning of the 2006 season with the satellite LCR Honda team Stoner has won 35 races and two world titles (2007 and 2011).
When Casey Stoner rocked the world of MotoGP with his retirement announcement in Le Mans earlier today two of his great rivals where sitting beside him.
Seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was present at the pre-event press conference for the stunning turn, as was 2010 World Champion Jorge Lorenzo.
Rossi and Stoner have fought many brutal battles, not least the breathtaking contest the pair staged at the 2008 US Grand Prix in Laguna Seca.
But since he switched to Honda from Ducati at the beginning of 2011, Stoner has been the man to beat while Rossi's performances have declined, the great Italian unable to win at Ducati.
Despite this Rossi echoed the thoughts of the sport with his immediate reaction to Stoner's intention to retire at the end of the current season while at the peak of his career.
"It is a big surprise for me but also for everybody," Rossi said. "It is bad news for the MotoGP world because at the end of the season we will lose one great rider and one great rival. It is negative but it is his own decision."
Lorenzo has inherited Rossi's mantle as the number one rider at Yamaha and the Spaniard is widely regarded as the Stoner's only week-in, week-out, rival who can push the Aussie for race wins and the championship.
Lorenzo said, "I think it is a surprise for me and for everyone and I didn’t expect it. I heard the rumors and while it was a possibility I thought Casey would continue riding next year. This decision is not good news for MotoGP but his decision is to live quietly with his family and we must respect this."
Since he came to MotoGP at the beginning of the 2006 season with the satellite LCR Honda team Stoner has won 35 races and two world titles (2007 and 2011).
Grand Prix of The Americas
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