Casey Stoner joined Ducati in MotoGP in 2007, initially as a replacement well aware that his stay would be short-lived. Marco Melandri had already been contracted for 2008, making Stoner essentially a substitute rider. Despite the manufacturer’s performance being far from what is now, Stoner managed to become champion against all odds.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports, the Australian recalled that situation: ‘We knew we were just a replacement because they tried to keep Marco Melandri, but he was only coming in 2008 because he was signed. I was a replacement rider. They literally had no plans to keep me. They can pretend it was something grand and beautiful. But I was literally just a rider for a sabbatical year! I was just a replacement. Marco was coming. That was the dreamed Italian team. Then I won the championship’.
Despite arriving as a temporary rider, Stoner stayed with Ducati until the end of 2010, consistently contending for top positions. Melandri did join in 2008 as planned but replaced Loris Capirossi. Later on, Nicky Hayden joined the team, becoming Stoner’s teammate in 2009 and 2010.