Stoner may be slipping behind steering wheel

CASEY Stoner's early retirement may have robbed the young Australian of the chance to be the greatest MotoGP rider.

CASEY Stoner's early retirement may have robbed the young Australian of the chance to be the greatest MotoGP rider, but it has left some speculating he could be headed for a big career in Formula One or V8 Supercars.

The 26-year-old dual MotoGP world champion announced overnight he would stand down at the end of the season.

Stoner is leading this year's championship but said he was tired of the sport he has excelled at for more than a decade at various levels.

"After a long period of thought and numerous discussions with my wife and family, I have decided to stop competing at the end of the season," Stoner said.

"After so many years taking part in this sport that I love, and with all the sacrifices that I have had to make, I no longer have the passion to continue and I think that it is best to stop.

"There are a lot of things that have disappointed me, and also a lot of things I have loved about this sport, but unfortunately the balance has gone in the wrong direction.

"And so, basically, we won't be continuing any more. It would be nice if I could say I would stay one more year, but then where does it stop? So we decided to finish everything as we are now."

Stoner had become increasingly unhappy with regulation changes in his sport. He won his first world championship in 2007 and repeated the feat last year, and was considered by some to be potentially an even better rider than Valentino Rossi. Five-time world champion Mick Doohan told The Weekend Australian he considered him "definitely one of the best ever".

There was speculation Stoner may follow Wayne Gardiner's path and drive V8s -- he test-drove one late last year and has expressed interest in the sport.

Doohan, however, thought the champion might aim higher.

"I don't know, it is completely up to him, but I would have thought that he is quite a well-known motor sport personality and he could get himself a test run in an F1 car," he said.

Stoner and wife Adriana's first child was born in February.