MotoGP: Mental toughness key to Casey Stoner’s 2007 MotoGP title success

Mental toughness was the key weapon in helping Casey Stoner destroy Valentino Rossi’s hopes of reclaiming the MotoGP world crown in 2007.

That’s the view of Bridgestone boss Hiroshi Yamada, who celebrated the Japanese’s factory’s first premier class world title to finally break Michelin’s stranglehold.

Hiroshi Yamada said: “He is so strong in his mind. Normally when Valentino (Rossi) follows somebody the rider in front is very worried about him.

“But in the case of Casey it looks like nothing. He is very strong mentally.”

Hiroshi Yamada said it was Ducati’s Casey Stoner displaying his mental toughness in an epic race long scrap with Valentino Rossi in Catalunya which was arguably the turning point of the season.

“The turning point was Catalunya. He had a very, very hard battle with Valentino and he won. And he had much more confidence from his battle.

“And I’ve never seen such a rider battle with Valentino and win,” said Yamada, who has echoed the sentiments of many others in expressing his surprise at Casey Stoner’s formidable form in 2007.

He added: “Honestly speaking I didn’t expect Casey to be so strong. I knew his talent and that he had good ability but I thought it would take a little bit of time to adapt to the bike and the tyres.

“I thought from the middle of the season he could win a few times, but not from the first race.”