SENNA AGIUS SAYS CASEY STONER WAS NEVER EXPECTED TO WIN THE 2007 MOTOGP TITLE

Senna Agius says Casey Stoner’s 2007 MotoGP title with Ducati was never expected to happen, despite the Australian’s extraordinary results in his first season with the Desmosedici. Agius, who is now working with Moto2 rider Agius, pointed to the context of Stoner’s switch: after debuting in MotoGP on a Honda in 2006, Stoner moved to Ducati for 2007 when the Italian manufacturer was described as the third-best constructor on the grid behind Honda and Yamaha.

Agius highlighted how Stoner still delivered a championship-winning campaign, taking 10 wins in 18 races and finishing on the podium 14 times. He also contrasted Stoner’s impact with Ducati’s wider picture that year, noting that teammate Loris Capirossi ended the season seventh overall, with four podiums and just one victory.

“I have enormous respect for how he switched to Ducati back then,” Agius said. “He led a project to the world championship title that wasn’t actually supposed to be competitive – and wasn’t, according to the other side of the garage. Despite that, he became world champion. That shows incredible mental strength and exceptional riding skills. Casey is a great role model for me and my biggest idol.”

Agius’ admiration is personal as well as historical. In a recent interview with Speedweek, the 21-year-old described Stoner as his “biggest idol,” adding that although he was only two years old during the title-winning Ducati season, he has studied that period closely.

Stoner himself has previously explained the characteristics of the Ducati in 2007, recalling that the bike was “eaten alive” in the lower gears, while still offering the top speed and braking stability needed to offset that weakness.

Agius also referenced the pressure Stoner felt during that championship run, noting that Stoner later admitted he didn’t “enjoy” winning the 2007 title because of the “pressure.” After three more seasons with Ducati, Stoner returned to Honda as a factory rider in 2011, then retired early in 2012 due to physical and mental fatigue. On that decision, Agius added: “Some say he was a special character. Whether it was right to retire for the reasons he did so is solely his decision. I respect his stance very much.”