Nolan: Casey Stoner receives the new X-803 Ultra Carbon as a gift

Special day at Nolan with the presence of the former Moto GP world champion Casey Stoner, Nolan testimonial for 16 years now and frequenter of the Brembate factory, in the province of Bergamo. Casey took a tour of the company's pavilions and received a helmet as a gift Nolan X-803 Ultra Carbon personalized with the Australian flag, the Italian flag and a dedication to remember a relationship that has lasted since 2002, when the company decided to sponsor a boy with incredible talent but who - due to his young age - was still being refined. In reality it is a model sold under the X-Lite brand, but which Casey always wanted branded with the parent company's name. While waiting to understand whether the helmet will be produced in a limited series or not (Nolan customers are still very fond of the products designed by the Australian rider) we chatted with Casey in the folds of the MotoGP and more generally of two wheels.

Casey, we are here in Nolan's factory which is much more than a sponsor for you. The first question is a must: does friendship exist between a driver and the companies that follow him?

“I personally enjoyed having a close relationship with the people and companies that supported me. With some it happened and they are still by my side, with others this didn't happen and the work was shorter."

Have you ever thought about running again?

"No. I like living with children and my family. I've had several opportunities but I prefer to go home and sleep in my own bed every night."

What was the secret of your successes?

“When I was a child I ran a lot and this helped me improve my ability to adapt. As a child I raced 35 races with 5 different bikes in one weekend. It was an important training ground."

How many serious requests have you had to return to racing?

“Everyone asked me this, but the truth is that I like my life and there is no possibility of returning to the paddock, at least as a driver.”

Would you like to have another role than the one you have now at Ducati?

“I like doing what I'm doing now, but I would like to be more influential in data analysis and bring my experience to racing. Don't just be a test drive."

Would you like to pursue a career as a team manager?

"It's not in my plans for now and in any case I don't think I'll ever do it in MotoGP because that wouldn't allow me to spend much time with my family."

Do you feel more passionate about motorbikes or racing?

“It's hard for me to say too. The best part of the weekend for me was qualifying, even more than the race and the victory. Perhaps it is the passion for the extreme that shows the talent."

Have you ever had the curiosity to try a Yamaha?

“The best thing would be to try all the bikes in three or four days to understand the differences and the sensations of the riders, but when I was racing I never thought about it. I was only thinking about my bike and I was focused on that."
Your name is linked to the history of Ducati, so I ask you for your opinion on Petrucci and Dovizioso.
“Danilo is working hard for Ducati, he did a lot of testing at the weekends and I think that for the future it is my possible choice that Domenicali could make. Andrea is having a less than perfect season. This year he races with the obligation to win and it's different than when he races without being the favourite. Now he has to win and it's not easy. He made a couple of mistakes but also achieved good results and I think he will have his say until the end of the season."

Is Marquez a dangerous rider?

“Maybe it was in the past, but now everyone does like him. I think this should not be a contact sport. There should be harsher punishments for those who go beyond the rules and bring the rules back to what they are."

Would you like to create an academy in Australia?

“I respect all existing ones like Valentino Rossi's because they give young riders an important opportunity, but I would prefer to find a couple of talents and concentrate the work on them. You can find the true champion by comparing pilots from all over the world. Anyone can race in Moto2 but few can make the difference when it really counts. Today, electronics help a lot and many riders can stay at the front, but few have that advantage to go to the top and stay there."

Who wins the 2018 World Cup?

“Marquez, also because the second and third in the standings, Rossi and Vinales have not won a race in the last year, but it will be a long season”.

Can Valentino Rossi win a title again?

"If Yamaha managed to make a bike with the characteristics that it requires and with a regulation that leaves more space for the rider, I think so, but in the paddock there are many young riders who are demonstrating their value."