A new format launches today. We go in search of great exploits, moving moments, sensational victories. “The greatest race of…” aims to highlight a single round of the MotoGP world championship in which a rider stood out, dazzling the eyes of the world. Attention ! The choice of race is arbitrary and may not be identical to what the driver in question would do. For the champions that we are going to see, it is so difficult to decide. And who better to start this saga than the immense
Casey Stoner ?
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 it's coming " his home ", Literally as figuratively.
Phillip Island has always been his garden. Apart from a 6th place obtained for his first season in Grand Prix at Honda LCR, Casey always won (most often crashed) the race. However, he is not the only one who dreams of these sumptuous curves. 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.
Stoner, Pedrosa and Dovizioso on the same team. Dream team? Photo: Box Repsol
While the weekend is going wonderfully for the Australian, the season ends a few hours before the start. Indeed,
Jorge Lorenzo fell heavily in warm up and severed a finger, forcing him to withdraw. No need to be a mathematician: Stoner will be titled if he scores 10 points, which appears to be a formality. Casey makes 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 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 ", will declare the main interested party. « 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 wrong.
Stoner, modest even in triumph, does not stipulate that he has just joined the
Valentino Rossi,
Mike Hailwood and other Giacomo Agostini by establishing itself on at least two different brands. The Australian knew how to tame and sublimate the RC212V model 2011, adaptation has rarely been so easy. Phillip Island punctuates one of the greatest years ever. No more no less.
One man, one myth. Photo: Box Repsol
This October 16, 2011, Stoner goes from a great driver to a legend, which is why this particular race was selected. Transcended on his land, Casey never left room for doubt and sat at the table of giants. It's hard to believe that one Grand Prix later, the entire paddock was crying in Simoncelli's honor, but not tears of joy this time.
We hope you liked this concept! If you have suggestions for other drivers, Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments!
Cover photo: Box Repsol
