Casey Stoner undergoes spinal surgery and says Ducati never paid him for Bagnaia help

Former MotoGP double world champion Casey Stoner announced that he recently had a major spinal operation, including an L5‑S1 fusion and an L4‑5 disc replacement, to address injuries dating back to a 2003 crash. He said the surgery has markedly reduced his chronic pain, adding, "For over 20 years, I managed the pain as best I could," and expressed gratitude to the medical team for restoring his quality of life.

Stoner also revealed that he received no financial compensation from Ducati for his technical assistance to current champion Francesco Bagnaia during the 2025 season. He told reporters at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that, despite helping Bagnaia overcome a bike issue, "Ducati did not pay me a single euro." The comments have sparked debate about how the Italian manufacturer treats former racing legends.