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Since making his Grand Prix debut as a fresh-faced 15-year-old wildcard in the 125cc race at Donington Park back in 2001, Casey Stoner has made no secret of his intention to make his racing career a short one. Even so, the reigning world champion's decision to walk away from the sport now, at the peak of his powers, has come as a huge shock to everybody in the MotoGP paddock.

Always an enigmatic and outspoken character, Stoner cited a diminishing passion for the sport and his disappointment at the current shift away from pure prototype racing as the primary reasons behind his decision, although the fact he became a father just a couple of months ago has surely played a part.

It has long been a mystery to many - and most of the messages I have received on Twitter over the past few hours are testament to this - that a young man could fail to enjoy the money, the adulation and the fame that have come his way due to his unparalleled ability to ride a motorcycle.

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