Casey Stoner shares whether he could still beat Marc Marquez at Phillip Island

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Casey Stoner was almost unbeaten at the Australian Grand Prix during his time as a MotoGP rider.

Stoner’s record at Phillip Island in the lower classes had been somewhat underwhelming – one podium, two retirements and two midfield finishes in five visits.

But after finishing sixth in his first home race in the premier class, he rattled off six victories in a row at the Victoria circuit. That made it his most successful track, ahead of Lusail in Qatar (four wins).

Why Casey Stoner still thinks he could outpace Marc Marquez at Australian Grand Prix

Stoner sealed his second MotoGP title at Phillip Island in 2011, and won his final race at the same venue a year later.

Only three riders in premier-class history have ever won more than six races at the same circuit – Marc Marquez (Aragon, COTA, Sachsenring), Valentino Rossi (Mugello, Jerez, Catalunya, Assen) and Giacomo Agostini (Spa, Imatra).

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Marquez has won four times at Phillip Island, or five if one includes a 125cc triumph in 2010. He prevailed in an epic four-way battle in 2015, and fought back from 13th on the grid on a year-old Ducati in 2024.

Asked during Ducati’s Race of Champions last weekend whether he could still beat Marquez on his home ground, Stoner said, via Motosprint: “I think I still have a few secrets there that would make the difference.”

The Queensland native retired from MotoGP in 2012, paving the way for Marquez to make his debut, but at 38, he’s only five years older than the Spaniard. Stoner was still rapid in testing years after he quit full-time riding.

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In a separate interview over the weekend, Marquez was asked which past world champion he would love to spend a day riding with. He picked another Australian great.

“Mick Doohan,” Marquez told MC News. “I mean, Stoner maybe, but I had the chance to compare the data because when I jumped into MotoGP in 2013, he was riding in 2012, and I was able to compare the data a bit and understand. But if you say another era, I would choose Mick Doohan.”