Casey Stoner

wreckless · 4 Dec 2002, 08:52 (Ref:442354)

Australia's rising star of international motorcycle racing, 17-year-old Casey Stoner, has secured a coveted factory bike for the 2003 grand prix season.

Stoner is hopeful that the Aprilia mount will see him become a frontrunner in the 125cc world championship.

"It's pretty exciting news to get just before Christmas," Stoner said today during an off-season break at home in NSW's Hunter region. "I'm really looking forward to being on a more competitive bike next year. "Although it will have a smaller engine than the 250 I raced this year, it's still a big step up as I will be in a factory team for the first time, with full support from Aprilia."

Italian ace Lucio Cecchinello, winner of three 125cc GPs this year, will be Stoner's teammate as well as team boss.

mac · 4 Dec 2002, 08:57 (Ref:442358)

Interesting to see Casey step down a class. I don't really understand the reasoning for it. But then, if it is his best chance to become a World Champion, it could be a good move.

From what source is this?

Airhead · 4 Dec 2002, 09:36 (Ref:442380)

Perhaps a little more time to fine tune his setting up skills and practice on race craft with a more experienced team mate as a mentor.

Could be a really smart long term career move this one.

f1manoz · 4 Dec 2002, 09:47 (Ref:442385)

I agree with Moff on this one. Although he was clearly getting better and better on the 250, it was on the 125s that he really made a name for himself, and with a factory ride for 2003, Casey could end up winning the title with them and then Aprilia will promote him to the factory squad in 2004.

Having Lucio next to him will also be good for him.

elephino · 4 Dec 2002, 10:24 (Ref:442406)

He may be moving down in class, but he's in the same team so working with many of the same guys which will help him. And, as he said himself, it will be a factory team.

Good luck Casey.

Winther · 4 Dec 2002, 10:48 (Ref:442422)

Yes plus that the 125 is more competetive than the 250's these days.
I think that it is a good move to join a factory supported team, and Lucoi's is great.

wreckless · 5 Dec 2002, 05:55 (Ref:443060)

sorry source www.formula-xtreme.com.au

asha · 7 Dec 2002, 08:36 (Ref:444888)

Basically he is young enough to go into the 125s for a year or 3. He is trying to make a career out of this right?

f1manoz · 7 Dec 2002, 11:36 (Ref:444957)

Certainly. He's only 16/17. Plenty of years ahead of him. I reckon a couple of years in the 125cc, a possible championship, then a switch to 250s again then he'll go to MotoGP. If he has the talent, the drive and the luck, he could be there by the time he's 22. But that's just a guesstimate.

**gomick** · 8 Dec 2002, 03:05 (Ref:445389)

go casey - good move i reckon, glad that lucio has shown faith and rewarded casey with this ride, great that casey hasnt had to find sponsorship $$$ to keep riding in gp's to

asha · 8 Dec 2002, 11:33 (Ref:445519)

yeah it looks like casey as benefited from alex de anglis' rather odd desision to leave.

wreckless · 9 Dec 2002, 04:50 (Ref:446058)

then where is alex de anglis' going?

f1manoz · 9 Dec 2002, 06:25 (Ref:446087)

To another 125cc team. I think it was beside Pablo Nieto... but don't quote me on that...

asha · 9 Dec 2002, 14:50 (Ref:446330)

its a new team.. I forget the details (its on motogp.com)
No matter how much money you have, a new team can't replace an experanced unit/team.

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