Ducati’s expensive experiment with five-time World champion Jorge Lorenzo appears near an end. Rumored to have a salary in the same neighborhood as Honda superstar Marc Marquez, Lorenzo has been unable to win a single race in the nearly 1-1/2 years he has been with the Italian brand.
Paddock rumors consistently have Lorenzo leaving the Ducati factory team next year. At Mugello for this weekend’s race, Lorenzo would only say he is not retiring, but will have a “good bike” in MotoGP for at least two additional years.
That “good bike” may well be a Yamaha M1, the bike Lorenzo rode successfully in MotoGP before leaving for Ducati at the end of the 2016 series. It would not be a factory Yamaha, of course, as both Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales have signed new two-year deals to stay with the factory team. We should know for sure where Lorenzo is going in two-weeks time. Watch MD for an update.
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George would have a good bike NOW if he would run harder tires and try to lead the LAST five laps rather than the first five…
That strategy worked real good for Marquez at Mugello. I think he broke a record for the longest front wheel slide on a motorcycle though, haha!
Rossi on pole. Live the moment. Who cares about Lorenzo.
Ha ha.
I hope no one tells Dovi he doesn’t gave a “good bike”.
He will most likely end up on a satellite Yamaha, with a current bike.
I could see a “factory/satellite” arrangement, like Crutchlow has. Yamaha left Tech3, but I bet they want to continue to occupy those places on the grid.
Where did you find a picture of Lorenzo smiling?
That was taken on his second day, just after cashing the check.
Satellite Honda, or Factory Suzuki is most likely in my opinion. I’d be shocked if he went back to a struggling Yamaha, or unproven KTM effort. He made lots of money the last few years, but his reputation took a hit. I’d bet he wants to get back on a bike he feels is competitive.
When is Pedrosa’s contract up? Jorge is a good blocker, maybe Honda sees him as the ultimate defense for Marc.
I’m telling you, this is an interesting proposition. Honda would have two world champs on their side and we already know Murguez blocked for Lorentho back in 2016 to steal the title from Rossi. Is it really that far fetched? Would JL99 have the possibility of sealing another championship should MM93 get injured? Is little Pedro out for good next season, only to jump into WSBK and grab victory from Rea’s hands? The predictions are breathless, the possibilities endless….
Yep. MM went right past Lorenzo at Philip Island to help 99 get that title…. erm..
Oh, and of course Iannone was in in it too.
Grow up, man. Rossi lost it in both senses of the term.
Since he’s saying he will be on a “good bike”, I take that to mean he feels his Duc isn’t one. Hope you enjoyed those big paychecks you got.