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.

source: MCN

Laureus Award For Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi was honored with the 2011 Laureus World Sports Award ‘Comeback of the Year’ prize for his successful come back after injury during the practice session at Mugello. Valentino Rossi was back at track on German grand prix, Sachsenring, on July 16th after 1 month recovery. This incredible recovery make Rossi held off competition from US golfer Paula Creamer, American sprinter Tyson Gay, Belgian tennis star Justine Henin, and athletes Carolina Kluft and Merlene Ottey.

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal was named Sportsman of the Year and American skier Lindsey Vonn the Sportswoman of the Year at the ceremony in Abu Dhabi, which also bestowed awards in Team, Breakthrough, Sportsperson with a Disability, and Action Sportsperson of the Year categories, as well as Lifetime Achievement, Spirit of Sport and Sport for Good Awards.

This award was also announced at the ceremony that five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan had been elected to the Laureus World Sports Academy, joining another MotoGP Legend Giacomo Agostini.

Andrea Dovizioso New Contract On Repsol Honda 2011

HRC has confirms that Andrea Dovizioso will still on Repsol Honda line up for 2011 MotoGP. It means, after Casey Stoner join with Repsol Honda, there will be three rider on next year MotoGP for Repsol Honda team. This contract was announced after HRC and Repsol signed more two year contract. Previously Honda Racing Coorp ever had three riders on their line up while Mick Doohan, Alex Criville and Shinichi Ito rider for Honda at 1995.

“We are delighted to announce that our valued partners at Repsol will once again join us in our quest for the MotoGP World Championship next year,” comments team President Tetsuo Suzuki. 

“Honda’s partnership with Repsol has been long and successful and we are very proud to be together again for this challenge into the future. We are also very pleased to expand the Repsol Honda Team to once again include three riders next year. 

“Our current riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will be joined by Casey Stoner, all racing in Repsol Honda colours, to form a truly formidable line-up that we believe can fight for victory at every race and achieve our joint goals, recapturing all three MotoGP World Championship titles.”

Andrea Dovizioso finished 5th on this season 2010 MotoGP, up one place from 2009 MotoGP season.