Official: Jorge Lorenzo announces MotoGP retirement
Watch Live Race and all sessions
Watch Replay Race and all sessions
2019 MotoGP Race Calendar,Race Results and Replays
2019 MotoGP Standings
Jorge Lorenzo has announced his retirement from MotoGP, following this weekend’s Valencia season finale.During a special press conference at the circuit on Thursday afternoon, the five-time world champion confirmed that he will not serve the second year of his Repsol Honda contract.Flanked by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Lorenzo cited the string of injuries since September last year, most notably back fractures at Assen in June, as the main factor in his decision.”I’ve always thought there are four significant days in the life of a rider; your first race, first win, first world championship, and then the day you retire,” he said.”As you all imagined, I’m here to announce that this day has arrived for me. This will be my last race in MotoGP.”I first thought about retirement after the injury at Assen, making my final decision after Malaysia.”Malaysia in 2010 was named by Jorge as his most memorable moment, when he won the MotoGP title for the first time.Lorenzo, who paused several times to keep his emotions in check but remained composed, also apologised to Honda and team manager Alberto Puig saying he had “disappointed” them this season.”But I think this is the best decision because Honda and Jorge Lorenzo are both winners. We need to fight for wins.”Ezpeleta added: “As soon as I heard the decision of Jorge, we spoke with the FIM and I’m pleased to say that Jorge will be made a MotoGP Legend during the next Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.”Johann Zarco is now favourite to take over Lorenzo’s seat alongside reigning champion Marc Marquez next season.Lorenzo joined MotoGP as a double 250cc world champion in 2008, going on to perfect a silky-smooth riding style on his way to 44 wins and three world titles at Yamaha, including the only title defeat for Marquez, before a big-money switch to Ducati for 2017.”4The Repsol Honda deal, signed just before Lorenzo claimed the first of three Ducati wins in 2018, created what was labelled a ‘dream team’ line-up with Marquez, the pair having won every MotoGP crown since 2012.But the dream soon turned into a nightmare for Lorenzo, who was injured during the closing stages of his Ducati career, followed by a wrist fracture during winter training, then a succession of confidence-sapping falls from the Honda.Aiming to become only the fifth rider in history to win premier-class races for three different manufacturers, Lorenzo instead has a best finish of 11th this season and has been no higher than 14th since returning from back fractures at Assen in June.Lorenzo spent much of his Yamaha career alongside Valentino Rossi and is the only team-mate to have beaten the Italian to a world title, in both 2010 and 2015.
For motorsport news follow TRmotosports on social media.
facebook.com/TRmotosports
twitter.com/TRmotosports
instagram.com/trmotosports/
linkedin.com/company/trmotosports-com
