Once fierce rivals on the track, MotoGP legends Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner reunited at VR46 Ranch on Sunday, rekindling memories of their iconic battles in a nostalgic race event.
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After years of a famously intense rivalry, double MotoGP champion Casey Stoner and nine-time champion Valentino Rossi appear to be on warmer terms.
Last weekend, Stoner joined Rossi at the VR46 Ranch in Tavullia, Italy, where they shared a day of riding and camaraderie that seemed unimaginable a decade ago.
The Stoner-Rossi rivalry, which peaked in the late 2000s and early 2010s, remains one of the most iconic in MotoGP history. Their tense relationship reached a dramatic moment at the 2011 Spanish GP when Rossi collided with Stoner, prompting Stoner’s now-legendary remark: “Your ambition outweighs your talent.”
Even in January, Stoner had spoken about the crash in an interview with Moto.it, expressing lasting disappointment with Rossi’s subsequent apology and criticisms from Rossi’s team.
Stoner shared, “When Vale joined Ducati, he and Jeremy Burgess spoke negatively about me and my team, saying they’d quickly ‘fix’ the bike. I took a lot of offense, knowing the effort my team put in on a tight budget.”
Despite the rocky past, Rossi invited Stoner to ride at the ranch while Stoner was in Milan for EICMA, the world’s largest motorcycle trade show.
A brief social media post from Stoner showed the two not only riding together but sharing a meal. “A lot has changed between Vale and myself over the last 12 years; family, friends. But the passion for bikes will always be the same,” Stoner wrote. “Thanks for the opportunity to share a track with you once again!”
The event also included Marco Bezzecchi, who described riding alongside the two legends as “unforgettable.” Bezzecchi noted, “We went back to doing some sidewalks, and it was beautiful! Seeing them on the track together was a unique thrill.”
Rossi himself shared behind-the-scenes footage of the day, with exciting shots of him and Stoner tearing through the dirt track. The footage even caught the attention of former MotoGP rider Colin Edwards, who called it “badass!”
Rossi’s 100km of Champions event will take place at the VR46 Ranch on January 10-11, featuring his VR46 Academy riders and other racing stars. With Stoner and Rossi back on friendly terms, fans are left to wonder if Stoner might make a surprise appearance at the star-studded event, adding yet another chapter to their storied history.
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