Troy Bayliss
World Superbike, Ducati 999r
The Australian was a fearless competitor during his World Superbike tenure, and has three world championship trophies to prove it. There's no question of his speed, but his "spreader" wheelies leave a bit to be desired. At least he tried.
Scorecard:
Difficulty: 5
Execution: 4
Style: 6
Total: 15
Chris "Teach" McNeil
Pro Stunter, BMW F800
You can count the riders on one hand who can fully hang out their drifts. We're talking opposite steering lock while dragging the pegs. Teach was one of the original drifters in the stunt scene and is also probably the best. Sadly, until someone from the E! network hooks him up with some fashion sense he won't take the title. get a visor dude.
Scorecard:
Difficulty: 9
Execution: 10
Style: 5
Total: 24
Bill Dixon
Pro Stunter, Yamaha R6
Many people said it couldn't be done, but Bill Dixon showed otherwise. His backwards "tail scrape" wheelie is not only dangerous but technically impossible...unless you have a custom thumb throttle. He didn't actually touch down though, which hurt his Execution score.
Scorecard:
Difficulty: 10
Execution: 9
Style: 8
Total: 27
Alvaro Bautista
250 GP, Aprilia RS250
A two-stroke 250cc racer has a vicious powerband, and poor Alvaro should've considered that when he tried hoisting a standup wheelie following his victory in the Czech Republic. His "tail drag" would've put him high in the standings, except that he fell and destroyed the bike moments later.
Scorecard:
Difficulty: 10
Execution: 0
Style: 8
Total: 18
Casey Stoner
MotoGP, Ducati Desmosedici
Randy Mamola made rear wheel steering popular back in the '80s, but riders like Casey Stoner have perfected it. His two-wheeled drift into, and out of, a long right hander is nothing short of astonishing.
Scorecard:
Difficulty: 9
Execution: 10
Style: 9
Total: 28
CONCLUSION:
It's official (sort of). Casey Stoner edged out Steve Jones and Bill Dixon by a single point and takes the "Best Stunter" title. Full-time freestylers across the globe will be upset, no doubt, to have a racer beat them at their own game, but victory is easily within grasp-just get your style sorted. Ditch the dirty skateboard shoes and put a visor on your lids!