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Pedrosa Evaluates Stoner in DAZN Decod3d Series
Dani Pedrosa has reflected on Casey Stoner, defining the Australian as wild and ranking him alongside Marc Márquez as the two strongest competitors he has ever observed aboard a motorcycle. Pedrosa shared the garage with Stoner at the Repsol Honda squad during the 2011 and 2012 MotoGP campaigns and offered his perspective for DAZN's documentary series Decod3d. Multiple riders and paddock figures, including Stoner's former track engineer Cristian Gabarrini along with Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, contributed to the programme to outline the Australian rider's career and character.
Unique Riding Technique and Corner Approach
In Pedrosa's view, Casey Stoner's riding style was unique. The Spaniard highlighted one of the traits that most distinguished Stoner as interpreting things differently and inventing something that no one had seen before. Pedrosa noted that Stoner braked earlier and closed the throttle earlier, but got back on the throttle much sooner, interpreting circuits in a different way. He added that Stoner possessed riding capabilities that at times surpassed what he himself could imagine, traits that help explain why the Australian is regarded as one of the best riders in history.
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Approach to Electronics and Rain Performance
Beyond riding style, the Australian was not particularly fond of electronics, preferring to rely primarily on his talent and sensitivity at the handlebars. Pedrosa explained that Stoner was quite reluctant regarding electronics, seeking to use them as little as possible to maintain maximum control in his own hands. Rain was also unable to stop Stoner, who made a difference in wet conditions. Pedrosa admitted to having a bit of envy toward him in that aspect, noting that Stoner was extremely fast in the rain, to the point that in any race held in wet weather, it seemed as though he were racing alone.
Machine Adaptability and Career Statistics
Stoner's adaptability across machinery proved equally impressive, with Pedrosa recalling that the Australian could be given any motorcycle and would remain just as fast. Stoner secured two world titles during his career, claiming his first with Ducati in 2007 and his second with the Repsol Honda team in 2011. Across 115 races, he registered a 33 percent victory rate with 38 triumphs, equivalent to winning once every three Sundays, while also recording 69 podiums, 39 pole positions, 29 fastest laps, and a record of seven consecutive pole positions achieved in 2008.
Priorities and Departure from MotoGP
Stoner retired from the MotoGP World Championship in 2012, in the season following his second world title, choosing to prioritize his family and avoid the media exposure surrounding the sport. At the press conference announcing his retirement, the Australian explained that he realized what was truly important was family and happiness, observing that money was not everything. Pedrosa summarized that decision by noting that Stoner set his limits and chose not to go beyond them to stay faithful to his values. Pedrosa added that it no longer mattered to his former teammate whether his career ended earlier, whether he stopped earning what he made while competing, or whether he isolated himself completely from the world and media exposure, concluding that Stoner follows his own principles.
