On Sunday 16^th October 2011, on his 26^th birthday, Stoner took his second MotoGP crown home.  And fellow Australian Mick Doohan, who won five 500cc championships in a row in the 1990s, believes Casey Stoner has the potential to beat Valentino Rossi‘s haul of seven premier class titles.

Rossi has won nine world titles in all – seven in the top class and one each at 125cc and 250cc level and has been the central figure in grand prix racing since Doohan retired through injury in 1999 . However Stoner, who won his first world title for Ducati in 2007, has put the Italian in the shade this season.

“Rossi is a great rider and one hell of a competitor,” Doohan said. “But he is not pushing himself beyond where he wants to at this part of his career. He’s not willing to ride the Ducati like Casey was.”