MotoGP: Agostini hails ‘incredible’ Casey Stoner

Italian legend Giacomo Agostini has described Casey Stoner’s dominant 2007 MotoGP world championship performances as ‘incredible’.

Giacomo Agostini was full of praise for Casey Stoner, admitting he has been surprised by the Australian’s brilliant 2007 form, with his victory in Brno last Sunday his seventh of the season.

“Casey Stoner has surprised everyone because he is so precise. I remember when he crashed many times but now he is so determined and he is incredible. Casey is a fantastic rider.

“Everybody says he has a good motorcycle and good tyres but you need the rider too and he is very good. I’ve watched him and he is very consistent and very fast, he is incredible because it not easy to beat Valentino Rossi, ” Giacomo Agostini told MCN.

Although Casey Stoner now seems odds on favourite to become the first Australian rider to clinch the premier class world crown since Mick Doohan in 1998, Giacomo Agostini has backed Valentino Rossi to shrug off a multi-million tax investigation to push Stoner all the way in the championship race.

Valentino Rossi now trails Czech Republic GP winner Casey Stoner by a massive 60 points with just six races remaining, but 15-times world champion Giacomo Agostini says it would be foolish to write off Valentino Rossi.

“We can’t forget Valentino Rossi. He is a multi world champion and we must remember that. When Valentino Rossi has the package he can still win no problem. For me it’s still open but this year Valentino Rossi has one very strong rival in Casey Stoner. He has a big point lead, which with another one is possible, but with Casey Stoner it is very difficult, “he added.