Rossi vs Stoner Rivalry

Rivalries make for the best stories in any sport. Can MotoGP be any different. Absolutely not. The stories of the rivalries between the two great icons is what makes a sport amazing. That can be Federer vs Nadal in tennis, Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo in football, Hamilton vs Max Verstappen are a few. Let’s add to that list Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner. Yes, two of the best in the world of MotoGP who have battled it out for a long time. Their story of rivalry starts from the 2008 race in Laguna Seca California where perhaps one of the best races happened between these two. Rossi as he is fondly called in the race circuits as Doctor made sure that his moniker was apt. He made the best use of his skills in a race that can be defined by the racing enthusiasts. Racing on Bridgestone tyres he made sure that he showed off the best skills against the Australian. Using the best of the skills he passed stoner in one of the difficult races just before tricky area of the circuit known as “Corkscrew”. This is one of the prime and defining moments for both the racers. For stoner it is a memory that is painful for him as he said that he cannot fathom even today how Rossi beat him in the first place to get past for him. As for Rossi in his long list of career achievements this would be right at the top of his long-term career.

In the words of stoner which sums up the rivalry his with his fellow great Rossi, he accepts that he learnt a lot from that race with Rossi. It is true that the career for both of them have seen many up and down’s although the race as discussed defines the relationship between these two stalwarts. Stoner who retired early in the MotoGP at age of 27 still remembers his rivalry with Rossi when he was constantly challenged by Rossi. Unlike the rivalry between Rossi and Marquez which is bitter here in this rivalry between Rossi and Stoner there is no malice. It is more of a celebration between these two giants of Motorsports and it comes down to the 2008 race. The rivalry between these two speaks about the great competition which had given us great moments. The styles of both Rossi and Stoner showed the world in the way they used to race and ride. Rossi too had been very appreciative of Stoner as his rival and he said he had enjoyed his rivalry with Stoner. Therefore, the battles between these two is the one which defines overall rivalry in the circuit of MotoGP as one of the greatest advertisements for the motorsport. It is because these two competed fiercely in their heydays. The stars of the racing world defined in the names of Stoner and Rossi who have given us the motorsports enthusiasts some of the greatest moments to cherish and enjoy as we fondly look back in time.