#and it's way too similar to the 2011 line to be wholly made up. casey preempting himself three years earlier so it *has* to be real

[batsplat]

The talent of Casey Stoner and the ambition of Valentino Rossi

The most famous quote in MotoGP history contains a truth about Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.

An advertisement said that power without control is useless. The same goes for talent without ambition . Two abstract units that have been used together for a decade when talking about MotoGP riders. Specifically since that April 3, 2011 when Valentino Rossi fell with the Ducati in Jerez and dragged Casey Stoner, who at the end of the race said to him: “Obviously your ambition outweighed your talent". The phrase, said with irony by the peculiar Australian pilot, was not only true. Unintentionally, he was x-raying the essence of the Italian pilot and the contrast to his own . Being two of the best pilots of the 21st century, one has nine world titles and the other only two. A difference of seven world titles that cannot be explained by the difference in talent, but rather by ambition. Rossi's ambition has always been boundless . His life revolves around motorcycling in general and victory in particular. However, if there was one thing that Stoner had boundless, it was his talent for riding a motorcycle. Stoner decided, almost a decade ago, to leave MotoGP and pursue other ambitions more related to family and a peaceful life. A perfectly respectable decision and as valid as any, but one that makes it clear that his ambition as a rider was never in line with his talent . Casey Stoner 's victories and titles were the result of his formidable talent for going fast on a motorcycle. A talent so extraordinary that it allowed him to achieve many triumphs with ease and to become MotoGP world champion without apparent effort when everything was going his way. Rossi, on the other hand, is still on the grid at the age of 42, fighting against riders who were not even born when he was already world champion. With his talent undeniable, if there is one word that defines the career of 'Il Dottore' in motorcycling, it is ambition. Going beyond logic, challenging the limits. Not being satisfied even when being the best. When he was winning titles without breaking a sweat with Honda, he decided to go to Yamaha because his ambition wouldn't let him settle. And when he had already won more world titles than anyone else in the premier class with Yamaha, he decided to go to Ducati with the ambition of being the first rider in history to be champion with three different brands. The creation of the Academy and the Sky VR46 are explained in the same way: he also wanted to be a vehicle for transmitting knowledge. His ambition for motorcycling is such that it overwhelms his own body and he has to make room for himself in others. And this also explains why he gives up a golden retirement: for the ambition of achieving more. One more podium, one more victory. So, yes: Stoner was right. That day, Rossi's ambition outstripped his talent. But not just that day: every day for the past 25 years. If it weren't for that, the Italian would have a few less titles and would have spent many years watching the races on TV. Because talent alone can lead you to glory, but it is a fleeting glory. It is the mixture with ambition that makes you eternal.

April 2021 (emphasis from the original article)