Kevin Schwantz: Stoner can be better than Doohan

Kevin Schwantz has backed Casey Stoner to better Aussie legend Mick Doohan’s winning record in MotoGP.

The Repsol Honda rider has won 28 races, including a stunning success in the last round at Laguna Seca, and Texan Schwantz said Stoner was likely to comfortably surpass Doohan’s record of 54 premier class wins.

Doohan ruled MotoGP between 1994 and ’98 before his career was cut short by injuries suffered early in the ’99 campaign during practice at Jerez.

Schwantz, who was 1993 500cc world champion for Suzuki, told MCN: “It’s like Mick’s first championship, the Honda’s were really coming into dominant form and the depth of the field is strong. Casey is a young guy, so he could beat Mick’s tally if he stays healthy. As Casey showed earlier this year, he can rack up wins pretty quick and he’s got time on his side. For Mick the worst thing will be if another Australian rider beats his record. Casey’s only 25 and I only won my first GP in 1988 when I was 24. And Casey’s got 28 wins at 25!”

Stoner is favourite to capture his second premier class world title in 2011 having established a 20-point lead over Spanish rival Jorge Lorenzo with eight races of the campaign remaining.