Casey Stoner: 2007 MotoGP World Champion

Motoring Channel Staff - 24/September/2007

Tochigi, Japan — As only the third Australian to win a MotoGP World Title, 21 year old Casey Stoner will go down in the annals of history as one of the greatest motorcycle racers of our time.

Though the finish probably wasn't how he would have dreamed it, placing sixth at the Japanese Grand Prix after his Ducati team mate Loris Capirossi won the race, it nevertheless seals the championship for the prolific Australian. 

"It all feels a bit unrealistic," said Stoner after the race, whose 2007 Championship title has bestowed upon his young shoulders a range of accolades:

• Casey Stoner is the third Australian rider in the history of MotoGP to win the championship (Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner did it in the 1990s and 1980s respectively)

• Casey Stoner is the second youngest rider in the history of MotoGP to win the championship (after American rider Freddie Spencer dominated in 1983)

• Casey Stoner is the first MotoGP rider since 1974 to win the Championship on a European bike. It's been Japanese traffic for a long time (in 1974, a rider named Phil Read won the MotoGP title on an MV Agusta).

• Casey Stoner has claimed the MotoGP crown in just his second season on board the top flite motorcycles.

Not long after realising his 83 point lead over Valentino Rossi, who sits in second place on the championship leader board, was unassailable with only three races to go before the season is over, the 21 year old Australian rider was shocked: "I don't think there is any feeling that can compare to this. I can hardly believe it. It is a bit overwhelming because we did not expect to get the title here. It's come on me quite quickly."

The world will today wake up to the fact that the most prestigious two-wheeled title in the world, the F1 of motorcycling, has been taken out by a wunder-kid, a 21 year old Australian who was written off by critics as a 'crasher' early in his career. He always pushed hard when in the 125 and 250cc MotoGP classes, and did have a tendency to crash or slide off the bike. But after spending more time in the gym, and working hard, he's put those days behind him and made Australians proud.

"Towards the end, everything was creeping into my head," said Stoner of the Japanese race, when he realised Rossi had dropped places. "So I just tried to stay focused on the job in hand and bring it home for the team. I have to thank a lot of people for this, particularly my parents, who made big sacrifices for me and I hope this repays them."

While riders like Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi have multiple MotoGP titles under their belts, there are few legends of the sport who have dominated at such a young age. With at least another decade of riding ahead of him, barring any serious spills, Casey Stoner has every chance at becoming one of the sports greatest riders. 

Expect to see sales of Ducati sports bikes go through the roof after this huge win.

Related Links:
- Ducati Desmosedici RR (2007)
- Ducati 1098 (2007)