[bsess]

Originally Posted by 247

Those who feel that Stoner is the best rider on the grid should explain-
1- why/how he has been able to instantly vault over Dani, who beat him consistently in 2005 on 250s and last year.

1. For 2007, he was on a bike/tire/team combo that suited him well.

2. In 2005, Stoner did very well against Pedrosa who had the advantages of what one could say was the better bike and the better team. Despite this disadvantage, Stoner still won 5 races to Pedrosa's 8. If you compare them head to head that year in races that they both actually finished, Stoner won 4 races and Pedrosa 6.

3. In 2006, Stoner was with a Satellite team while Pedrosa was with the Factory squad. While the differences in the actual equipment may not have been significant, I think the level of support within the team and from the factory is significant, particularly from the standpoint of a MotoGP rookie.

4. I believe one of the biggest reasons for Stoner elevating his game is that until the off season leading into this year, Stoner never took training and conditioning seriously. In fact, he showed his immaturity and a somewhat flippant attitude during interviews where he proudly remarked that he never did any training and exercise. Pedrosa, on the other hand has always been as focused, serious and determined about his career and his training regime. Stoner woke up and smelled the coffee and for the first time in his career, became an addicted workout warrior last winter.

2- how did he go from 119 points last year to 322+ points this year, if it's not in large part the bike/tires?

1. See #s 1 and 4 above.

2. How did Freddie Spencer go from 72 points in 1982 to 144 in 1983? How did Eddie Lawson go from 78 points in 1983 to 142 in 1984? The ability and performance of any racer is not a constant. In addition to all the other variables that can affect a racer's performance and the outcome of races, the racer's themselves, just like athlete's in other sports, can vary from year to year. How often have we witnessed young athletes in other sports have their talent, hard work, maturity and experience coalesce into dramatically elevated performances? Too many times to mention.

It's impossible to say for sure. One can very reasonably argue that if Rossi, Pedrosa or Hayden had Stoner's ride this year, they would have enjoyed the same results as Casey has. But, then again, maybe not. We'll never know. Last year, I believed that Pedrosa was the closest to Rossi in ability. This year, I believe Stoner is that man because he is the only one of the Ducati riders to consistently do well with it (and contrary to your opinion I don't believe that Loris is anywhere near over the hill and it seems neither do the Suzuki factory team). I also give Stoner the nod because he essentially took the 800cc bike and led the way in its development. On the other hand, HRC's golden boy and heir apparent was not able to do much with the bike that was, for all intents and purposes, built expressly for him. I think its ironic that whatever improvements that were made to the 800cc Honda this year appeared to be led and capitalized upon more by Nicky than Dani.