Jorge Lorenzo, the defending MotoGP champion, will have a new boss at the end of this season. The rumours have been confirmed: He’s signed with Ducati.
Lorenzo has been with Yamaha for nine years (his entire career in MotoGP), winning three titles in the process, including the 2015 crown. But he did not sign the contract offered him by Yamaha at this season’s start, which instantly got the rumour mill grinding. Most keen MotoGP followers had him going to Ducati, and now they’ve been proved right.
Aboard the Yamaha, Lorenzo seemed like he was in the ideal situation: He had no problem winning races, while the Ducati factory squad hasn’t topped the podium in a long time. But there are other possible reasons for the split. Lorenzo’s relationship with teammate Valentino Rossi was often strained, particularly last season when Rossi accused Honda’s Marc Marquez of helping Lorenzo win. It’s also possible the decision simply came down to money. Ducati is alleged to have offered Lorenzo a huge pay increase. Or maybe Lorenzo relishes the challenge of winning on the Ducati, a feat even Rossi couldn’t pull off? Whatever the case, next season just got a lot more interesting.
As we know, the dukes that Rossi rode bear little resemblance to what’s on the track now. I’d wager rossi would be competitive on those now too. Should be interesting.