Challenged to choose the best riders of all time in the premier class of speed, Casey Stoner did not hesitate and accepted the challenge. The list with the Australian’s choices is, to say the least, surprising.
‘For me, without a doubt, Giacomo Agostini and Mick [Doohan]. They never consider Doohan when talking about other riders, because he didn’t win as many championships or races as the others, but no one knows how hard it was for him to come back after being injured’, Casey said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
‘The other riders who achieved more titles than him never had to deal with the injuries he suffered. I don’t think anyone could have achieved his success after everything he went through. That’s why Mick is at the top, in my opinion. From there, I could mention names like Valentino [Rossi], Marc [Márquez]… it’s difficult to choose’, he added.
Stoner also highlighted a former rider who, in the Australian’s opinion, deserved more recognition.
‘I think the most underrated rider I’ve ever seen is Dani Pedrosa. When you were with him, you could see what he was capable of, being such a small guy, no one can understand that. I was too small for MotoGP, I weighed 59kg and I think Dani weighed between 55 and 56kg. Everyone thinks that being thinner is better, but the bikes are big, heavy, and powerful. You’re not as stable when you’re small. For me, it was incredible to see what Dani did. Racing alongside him throughout my career, no one can understand how fast he was’.
The two-time world champion left MotoGP in 2012, at the age of 27, leaving the world amazed. Currently, he performs some tests as a Honda rider.
