Casey Stoner memories: Livio Suppo

In the fourth part of MCN’s exclusive series of Stoner memories, Livio Suppo, who signed Stoner for Ducati at the end of 2006 and then worked with him at HRC, shares his thoughts.

“I think his Phillip Island win in 2011 was unforgettable because it was a situation you can only dream of. 

“Very few people in the world can experience something like he did on that day. It was his home race, his birthday and he could win the title and he did that.

“Casey in this world has been so unbelievably fast that in the beginning people didn’t appreciate his talent. Everybody thought he was fast because the Ducati was fast and the Bridgestone tyres were better, But clearly it was him.

“Loris (Capirossi) had the same bike and tyres and he couldn’t match Casey but the year before he was fighting for the title. The more his career went on the more people realised how fast he was and most people realise now too late that they will miss him. 

“I think nobody knows really what the future holds but I think in this moment Casey needed to stop. He has been racing for such a long time so he needs a rest.

“In this moment he feels like he is finished but maybe in one year he will think differently, but the only person that knows that is Casey. If he stops and he is happy to be at home then perfect, but if he doesn’t I hope he can admit it and come back.”