The end of an era is approaching in MotoGP, the era of Casey Stoner, a throwback champion.  In the run-up to the LeMans GP he announces his retirement at the end of this season, which is a surprise to many but not us.  A rider like no other of his generation, he was increasingly jaded by the diluted nature of racing, cost-cutting, rules changes, but mostly the commercialization and politics surrounding the sport he loves.  A racer through and through with a complex character that puzzled people in and out of the sport. We wish him the best of luck and undoubtedly will see him in the cockpit of a V8 Supercar or similar in the future, but don’t hold your breath for a feel-good return to a CRT-spec MotoGP, will not happen.

In his words: “Basically this has come after a long time of thinking, I will be not racing in the 2013 championship.  After so many years, this sport has changed a lot, changed to the point where I’m not enjoying it, don’t have the passion for it.  We decided to finish everything as we are now.”  Hats off and much respect for going out on his terms, with the number 1 on his HRC Repsol Honda.