Casey Stoner rumor

[Drunken Monkey]

Just heard through the grapevine (Moto Photog Andrew Wheeler, to be precise) that Stoner is going to retire at the end of this season.

Can anyone corroborate this scuttlebutt?

[Chococat]

On the front of the MotoGP website it says Casey Stoner announces his retirement after the 2012 season?   That's like Darth Vader announcing he's leaving the Empire.  

I'm not a fan of Casey but he's one of those guys you love to hate. I have as much fun rooting against him as I do rooting for others to beat him. I guess you can say I have a weird love/hate thing going with him.

He's fun to watch and has earned my respect. Is this real life? Can someone confirm?

**EDIT: Looks like Drunken Monkey beat me by a minute or so, he must have posted his article as I was typing mine. Feel free to delete, sorry. 

[bdfinally]

Soup is saying he announce at a news conference at Le Mans

[Chococat]

I read this on the front of the MotoGP website. Shocked to say the least. 

[ZLTFUL]

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/casey-stoner-announces-retirement/20668.html

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Casey+retirement

And it sure as shit ain't April Fool's day...

[ZLTFUL]

You know...I don't like the guy all that much but respect him as a racer. And frankly, the last few years, when he has been "On", there hasn't been anyone in the paddock that can touch him. Will be sad to see him go.

[bdfinally]

Alvaro Bautista just went, WUT?

[Drunken Monkey]

Maybe he just wanted to beat Rossi (to retirement)

[Grampa]

It's part of his contract with Satan.

After LeMans... Stoners wife gets fat.... the Ducati will be fast again.... Pedrosa becomes a real boy..... The Ben returns to form and Nicky puts a proper curve on the bill of his hat.

[Drunken Monkey]

...Pedrosa becomes a real boy.....

You win the internet today. 

[zooom]

....and Nicky puts a proper curve on the bill of his hat.

in the words of Vizzinni....

INCONCEIVABLE!!!!

[Spidey]

Rossi back to Honda.  

Wanna start taking bets on whether he "unretires", either before the end of the season or within the next four years?

[DanTheMan]

Would be a little disappointed to see him leave so early. Its been a long process to make it here, now at the pinnacle and to just walk away? Maybe just doesn't want to end up like rossi.

So a seat open on the repsol team, i think danny should get the boot too. Rossi back to Honda? The Ben to Honda? Crutchlow, he's having a banging season so far. Or just some schmuck in there next year and Marquez in 2 year time.

[Triple J]

Wow! Bummer to see him go.

[triangleforge]

Wanna start taking bets on whether he "unretires", either before the end of the season or within the next four years?

I wouldn't be as surprised by that as I am by today's announcement.

Speaking of not surprised, I'm disappointed (but not shocked) at the sour tone of the quotes in the VisorDown & MotoGP stories.