Casey Stoner: A Tough Cookie

After last year’s exciting 2008 Laguna Seca race and on the eve of this season’s rematch, we thought that this is an interview that Casey Stoner gave to Alessandro Pasini from Corriere della Sera on June 12th, would give a little more insight on this tough, straight talking Aussie rider that doesn’t roll over when talking to the media.

Stoner is in his fourth year in MotoGP and three of them with Ducati, winning the world title in 2007 and coming second in 2008.

“If I stay in this world, it’s because I love racing too much, now I don’t care about the other guys on track and I don’t care what journalists have to say nor what excuses my rivals come up with”.
Does this make you feel better?“Much better.
This year I feel more relaxed.
”Is this due to a good season begining?“Certainly, even if Ducati and I haven’t shown all our potential yet.

”You say that you’re getting better as a rider?“True.
Now I’ve got a different mentality, I’m more aggressive”.

In what way?“It’s difficult to explain, I’m afraid you Europeans wouldn’t understand.
Let’s say, that basically I’m very correct, When I overtake, I worry about not creating any problems to the other riders and if I do, I get sick.
But after two years of racing with guys who don’t care about you, I’ve learned to act that way too.
Who is the rider who is the most aggressive or unfair?It depends on the race, there isn’t only one.
Does the 2008 Laguna Seca race, where Rossi was over the limit when he passed you, still bother you?“Maybe.
But a lot of people in the paddock know that between him and me, he was the one that did the dangerous move, if it had been me, I would have apologized.
That’s why the time has come to change.
”Do you ever talk with Rossi?The European riders are not prone to talking.
I only talk to those who talk English.
In this world they put up walls…There was almost an invisible wall last year between you and Melandri.
“That’s not my fault.
I consider the garage as a workplace where everyone works together for the good of the team.
Who erects walls real or invisible, it’s only because they’re afraid.
”And with Hayden it’s different?“Nicky is fantastic.
We share data, experiences, we work together, it’s a question of different sportsmanship”.
Meaning?“A typical example would be the football (soccer) games here.
The fans hate each other, they fight, they consider the game a war.
It’s stupid.
They say that we Australians and Americans are easy going, and getting to the point, the truth is that we don’t kill each other.
”Why does Ducati seem to be so strong only with you?“I’ve said it a million times, the bike doesn’t have problems.
Maybe you should ask the other riders.
”They’d say that the real problem is Stoner.
“I don’t think so.
Others in Ducati have had results.
”Last year you said that 70-80% of what the media said about you was false.
Is it still that way?“Now they’re about 50-60%.
Now there isn’t anymore bullshit about the tires, everyone’s got the same and there’s less excuses.
”What do you say to those that say you’re not a personality? (Stoner smiles and flips his middle finger) In words?“This is me, I’m a rider, not an actor.
I’m only interested in doing a good job and then going home.
That’s it.
”How many friends to you have in the paddock?“Besides my wife?” Yes.
“None.
”