How Casey Stoner became a phenomenon on Phillip Island

It’s impossible to return to the unique setting of Phillip Island, where the MotoGP riders will race this week, without thinking about the prowess of Casey Stoner there. The one who today has a turn to his name on the host circuit of the Australian GP has not always been comfortable at home. It was not until the 2007 edition, contested on October 14 just after he validated his first world champion title, to see him pass a decisive milestone there.

“I don’t really know where it came from, because the first few years, to be very honest, I didn’t like the circuit,” he once said in the podcast Under the visor. “I had heard nothing but great things about Phillip Island, but I had never raced there before leaving Australia, so the first time I saw it must have been for my wild card in 2001. That year wasn’t too bad, but then…”

“In the small categories, when you’re not racing with a very fast bike, given that it’s so open and you’re at full throttle with a 125cc… I really had difficulty even trying fun because I didn’t find that many elements that I could take advantage of, so I struggled with the circuit and I didn’t find it particularly enjoyable.

“But then when I started riding a MotoGP there, it started to get a little more fun,” Stoner continued. “We try to create grip wherever we can. […] Trying to find grip on the track, especially with the tires wearing out, reminded me of my days of dirt track racing, where I had to find grip and manage the acceleration well .”

“A new love” for Phillip Island

“When I went there in MotoGP, I discovered a new love for the places and I managed to find differences in sections that are a bit scary. I was trying to be as safe as possible for myself and, by doing it, I saved time. So it seems to me that I found something on this circuit where others sometimes struggle and it helped me to be a little bit above the others. It was really cool to get that at this track where everyone wants to win.”

In 2007, Casey Stoner arrived in Australia having already won the title, three weeks earlier in Japan. It was there that he scored his first victory at Phillip Island, becoming the first Australian to win there since Mick Doohan.

“We didn’t really expect to win the title in Japan,” he admitted. “We were expecting to go to Phillip Island and do the job there, but ultimately it was really good to take the pressure off going to Phillip Island. I probably wasn’t struck by the title until the season was over, because I always had the feeling that I still had a job to do, I continued to take races one after the other until the end of the season .”

“But it was still good to go to Phillip Island with a free mind. It opened my eyes to the place. When you go there with pressure, it’s a bit like having blinders on and that we couldn’t enjoy and appreciate the places But going there in 2007 with a little less pressure to perform and obtain a result, it was really great. the weekend − it’s probably the first MotoGP weekend that I really enjoyed! It was fantastic, the support we received was just incredible.”

“From 2007, I only have very good memories there. Basically, from the moment I rode a MotoGP there, I fell in love with it,” Stoner concluded. Two years after this first success, the Australian GP marked his return to victory after several months of absence due to health problems. In 2011, it was there that he also celebrated his second title with general jubilation, on the very day of his birthday.

In fact, after this first success at Phillip Island, Stoner simply remained undefeated there until his retirement in 2012… He who was previously uncomfortable there saw his name given to turn 3, undoubtedly the most difficult to control, where over-powerful MotoGPs, which, at the time, already exceeded 250 km/h, are pushed towards the ocean. The gliding of a Stoner in complete control in this section remains an example for many pilots even today.