Two-time MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner shared that he never viewed his championship wins as something to be “defended.” Despite losing his titles—first to Valentino Rossi in 2008 and later to Jorge Lorenzo in 2012 after missing races due to injury—Stoner believes each new season is a fresh start without carrying over any advantage or pressure from past victories. He explained in an interview with Crash.net that every season begins with zero points, so the idea of “defending” a title is misleading; rather, it’s a race to accumulate the most points by the end of the year.
Stoner emphasized that he focused on taking each race individually and never treated any opponent as an unbeatable “final boss.” He noted that the constant changes in equipment and competition from season to season make the sport unpredictable and exciting. For him, the biggest challenge was always personal improvement—overcoming his own hurdles and adapting his riding style—not simply trying to beat specific rivals. This mindset, he says, allowed him to continuously grow and push his career forward.
Additionally, Stoner mentioned that neither he nor his competitors saw him as a heroic figure or dominant presence to be feared. Instead, his main competition was himself, striving to enhance his own performance and learn from others around him. This internal drive helped him maintain focus and resilience throughout his career.
Stoner also appears in the upcoming video game Ride 6, which will launch on February 12th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, where he features as a challenging “boss character.”
Fan Take: Stoner’s perspective reminds racing enthusiasts that MotoGP is as much a mental and personal battle as a competition against others, highlighting the sport’s depth beyond just winning titles. This outlook could inspire current and future racers to focus on self-improvement, keeping the sport dynamic and fiercely competitive for fans worldwide.
