Casey Stoner Names Mick Doohan as Top MotoGP Rider

Former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner caused a stir when he revealed that, in his opinion, Mick Doohan is the best MotoGP rider of all time. In a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Stoner shared his thoughts, deviating from the more conventional choices of Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez.

For many fans of the 2000s, the dispute between Rossi and Marquez for the title of best MotoGP rider was fierce. However, Stoner, who won the championship twice, once with Ducati and once with Honda, brought a different perspective. He singled out Mick Doohan as the best, citing the success the Australian had both before and after facing career-threatening injuries.

Stoner has raced against Rossi throughout his career in the premier class, and it is notable that the Italian is the only driver on his roster who he has faced on track. However, Stoner praised Doohan for his incredible ability to recover from injuries, something he believes no other driver could have achieved in the same way.

When talking about the subject, Stoner also mentioned KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa as the most underrated rider. He highlighted Pedrosa’s impressive career and role as a test pilot, emphasizing the often overlooked importance of this position.

Stoner expressed his opinion on Doohan: “For me, Giacomo [Agostini] and Mick [Doohan] without a doubt. He [Doohan] is not considered like some others because he didn’t win as many championships or races as the others, but nobody knows what it was coming back from an injury.”

Doohan is often underrated compared to other MotoGP greats due to his lower title and win count. However, Stoner argues that Doohan’s resilience and ability to bounce back from injuries set him apart as one of the best.

It is interesting to note how different champions have different perspectives on what makes an exceptional MotoGP rider. Stoner, with his own experience and observation, offers a unique insight that highlights not only on-track achievements, but off-track resilience.

Ultimately, Stoner’s statement is sure to spark heated debate among sports fans. The selection of Doohan as the best MotoGP rider is a surprising twist that challenges conventional narratives, adding a new layer to the sport’s rich history.