Stoner's stinging attack on Rossi
The reigning world champion has castigated Rossi about his move back to Yamaha, and he hasn't spared his countryman Jeremy Burgess either
Casey Stoner has never been one to join a chorus of approval – or disapproval – about any matter just for the sake of it, and since he announced his retirement from MotoGP racing he’s been more forthright than ever.
The latest has been in an interview with Channel 10 where he launched a salvo at Valentino Rossi, accusing him of failing to ride the bike to its limits over the last two years.
Last week, it was announced that Rossi was heading back to Yamaha in 2013, where he previously won four world titles between 2004 and 2010.
Stoner’s countryman Jeremy Burgess, who is Rossi’s crew chief, wasn’t spared either, with Stoner criticising the pair for believing it could produce a Ducati on which “any rider could win”.
“They ate their words from day one," said Stoner in the interview.
“Jerry saying that it would take him 80 seconds to fix that bike and that it was a simple issue and now they have had almost two years and have not made any inroads.
“Valentino obviously doesn't want to push limits and ride a bike that is not perfect, he has admitted that.
“Obviously he doesn't want to put the effort in with Ducati.
“I just feel completely sorry for Ducati that Valentino has gone there and done nothing but complain about the bike for almost two years," Stoner said.
“The amount of times that guy has had to eat his words is not funny, but people still forgive him for it.”
The pre-race press conference ahead of this weekend’s MotoGP round at Indianapolis should be a doozy, and let’s hope the spice carries through to the Aussie round at Phillip Island from October 26-28 where Stoner will be shooting for six home wins in a row.
To buy tickets for the Phillip Island round, visit www.motogp.com.au/tickets.
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