Casey Stoner is one of the best MotoGP riders of the 21st century, that's for sure. He has won a colossal number of events, but some are certainly more notable than others. Today, a look back at his Australian Grand Prix, at Phillip Island, which remains, for me, his most poetic achievement.
Arriving on the Australian tarmac for the 17th round of the 2011 season, Casey knows. He knows that the title is imminent, that the pressure is at its maximum. But he knows that he is arriving “home”, literally and figuratively.
Phillip Island has always been his backyard. Apart from a 6th place obtained for his first season in the premier category with Honda LCR, Casey has always won (most often crashed) the race. However, he is not alone in dreaming of these sumptuous curves.
The hero at home. Photo: Box Repsol
Jorge Lorenzo, reigning champion and solid second, is at 40 units. Too close to celebrate, but too far to worry. From Saturday, Stoner killed all the suspense by setting an untouchable time, almost half a second faster than everyone else. While the weekend was going wonderfully for the Australian, the season ended a few hours before the start. Indeed, Jorge Lorenzo falls heavily in warm-up and cuts his fingerforcing him to forfeit. No need to be a mathematician: Stoner will be titled if he scores 10 points, which appears to be a formality.
Casey achieves a “Grand Slam”, an extremely rare feat in motor sports. To do this, you must first have achieved pole, the best lap in the race and then win by having led throughout. Even light raindrops failed to destabilize the Aussie. Winner ahead of Marco Simoncelli (his last race) and Andrea Dovizioso, Stoner triumphs. Time stops, and the planet kneels down for one of the greatest champions we have ever known. On his own soil, he lets his joy shine through. The Honda challenge is met. Four years later, a machine bearing the number 27 found its way back to the summit.
A very significant coincidence: the race took place on his 26th birthday. “This title is even more special than 2007 declares the main person concerned. We've had 11 poles, nine wins so far; this season is a dream
» he continues, a few moments after cutting the line. Certainly, it is undoubtedly not his greatest victory, but certainly his greatest. “Winning the championship, five times in a row here, on my birthday and at home,
nothing can beat this. » He's not entirely wrong.
Stoner, on the podium with Andrea Dovizioso, one of his two teammates. Photo: Box Repsol
-Stoner, modest even in triumph, does not claim that he has just joined Valentino Rossi, Mike Hailwood and other Giacomo Agostini in winning overall on at least two different brands. The Australian knew how to tame and sublimate the RC212V model 2011; rarely has adaptation been so easy. Phillip Island punctuates one of the greatest years ever. No more, no less.
This October 16, 2011, Stoner goes from a great driver to a legend, which is why this particular race was selected by me. Transcended on his land, Casey never left room for doubt and sat at the table of giants. Hard to believe that one Grand Prix later, the entire paddock was crying in honor of Simoncellibut not tears of joy this time.
Did you have this Australian Grand Prix and Jorge Lorenzo's injury in mind? Tell me in the comments!
Wasn't that where Stoner accomplished everything, leading, a year later, to his retirement? Photo: Box Repsol
Cover photo: Box Repsol
