STONER QUITE BIT NERVOUS IN RACING

 Casey Stoner needs no introduction. The fastest man on two wheels begins his quest for a third world championship crown at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar where the inaugural race of the 2012 MotoGP season will take place on April 8. Stoner, 27, who won his first world title in 2007 with Ducati and the second last year with Honda, spoke to Gulf Times Sports Editor Anil John about his childhood, his family and his hobbies in an exclusive interview from Jerez, Spain, where he was fastest in testing earlier this week.Q: Casey, everyone knows about the strides you have made in motorcycling, but tell us what got you interested in the sport and a bit about your childhood in Australia.A: I began riding from a very young age, when I was just 3 years old, and I immediately felt comfortable and happy on a bike. My childhood in Australia was pretty much spent at racetracks, travelling around and competing and then at the age of 14 we moved to England so I could road race, as the legal age in Australia for road racing was 16, not 14 as it was in England.Q: Who were your childhood sporting heroes and who are your heroes now?A: I would say the same now as they were when I was little. Mick Doohan has always been a hero of mine and certainly a great inspiration for my career. What he achieved after the accidents and injuries he endured is something really incredible.Q: Valentino Rossi was virtually the king of motorcycling before you entered the scene. Tell us about your rivalry and about the interaction you have with him.A: I have a lot of respect for Valentino and what he has achieved in the sport. I have always enjoyed racing against him as I do all my competitors. We don’t have much interaction or a relationship, certainly not the kind of friendship I enjoy with Ben (Spies), Dani (Pedrosa) and Jorge (Lorenzo).Q: You have done pretty well in Qatar. What do you think your chances are this time? How have been the testing and the training so far?A: Well we will certainly prepare in the best way to give ourselves the best chance for the race! We have enjoyed good results here in the past but this is a new season, on new bikes so we will have to wait and…

Source:crash.net