Stoner extends Honda MotoGP test deal

[Blade]

You can't buy a job like that

[Kwacky]

Come on Stoner, come out of retirement.

[Blade]

Come on Stoner, come out of retirement.

[Blade]

In fairness to Stoner why bother he has a win win situation where he currently is.

He has his family life, limited traveling, plenty of hobby time ((fishing) and still gets to ride the worlds best motorcycle.

[Kwacky]

I'm being selfish though. I want to see him race against a resurgent Rossi and a dominant Marquez.

[Blade]

Just say it, you want to see marquez beat him

[Kwacky]

Nope

I want to see him come 3rd, behind Marquez and Rossi

[Blade]

Haha I should have guessed as much.

[Kwacky]

In all seriousness I can't think of a race fan who wouldn't want to see him back for a season.

[Monty]

That's true, just not in the paddock, press conference or anywhere else we have to hear him speak!

[duke63]

In all seriousness I can't think of a race fan who wouldn't want to see him back for a season.

There were plenty at Donington last time Motogp was there.

[Blade]

Its motorcycle racing not a popularity contest

[Kwacky]

If that's the case how come Guy Martin is so popular?

The two are interlinked IMO. It's hard for most fans to support someone who comes across as miserable. Senna and Hunt were adored, Prost and Lauda weren't. You look at the racers people still talk about and they had something the fans could connect with.

[Blade]

Yeah fair point.

I m a stoner fan as you know. I obviously don't know him so his personality has never bothered me, I just admire his skills on track.

[Kwacky]

Without a doubt he's something special and I love watching him race, but as Stoner himself has said, riding it is only part of the game. He has to speak to people, attend events, give interviews. He's a slave to the money men, as they all are. That said I think the fact he comes across as being a miserable sod adds to the theatre of the sport.

For me you've got to have your heroes and your villans. Schumacher is a classic, ramming people off the track, being arrogant in interviews, not showing respect to his fellow drivers, not caring if he's caught cheating.. it gives it some interest. I think it's a shame when they become boring corporate robots, like most F1 drivers are now.

I want to see Stoner and Rossi swapping paint, not just because it's great to watch, but for the post race interviews as well.

[Blade]

Good points well made and totally agree.

[D6]

I liked Stoner too. I liked to see him win. When he would throw tantrums and shake his head at otehrs I did think he was a nob, but for me I enjoyed that.

I am opposite though, as I always love to see rossi fail (as long as no injuries obviously) I think I've always liked underdogs and unpopular teams or stars though. I guess it's why I support Newcastle.

[Blade]

I use to like see Rossi get beaten as i also prefer the under dog but IMO times have changed and now Rossi is the under dog so I like to see him win.

[D6]

But he's still popular. I liken him to Man Utd.

[Kwacky]

Rossi is more Manchester United. Won loads of stuff in the past, no longer top dog, under new management.

Marquez is Manchester City. New kid on the block, loads of money being thrown at them, winning loads of stuff.