MotoGP – Jorge Lorenzo on a satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? –

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Jorge Lorenzo on a MotoGP Yamaha satellite in 2019 ?

MotoGP - Jorge Lorenzo on a satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? -

The divorce between Jorge Lorenzo and Ducati seems inevitable in view of the failure of this costly association which began in 2017 … The three-time MotoGP world champion, only 14th this year before the Italian GP, ​​nevertheless ensures that his career will continue both coming seasons at the helm of a good bike. Like a Yamaha M1, for example ?

As Jorge Lorenzo prepares to compete in his 24th race on the Ducati at the 2018 Italian GP, ​​his performance remains inversely proportional to his enormous annual remuneration of 12.5 million euros (!): Despite some racing debuts thunderous, the n ° 99 shows no victory and only three podiums … all signed in 2017 !

  • MNC special file :
  • MotoGP 2018 season :

The three-time MotoGP world champion – whose is his – must face the facts: his sunk driving is incompatible with the Desmosedici, a powerful and stable motorcycle but on the other hand very physical. The name of Lorenzo seems ready to join the long list of pilots "crushed" by the Italian, alongside among others that of Valentino Rossi…

MotoGP - Jorge Lorenzo on a satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? -

The Ducati has nevertheless progressed incredibly, as evidenced by the six victories signed last year by Andrea Dovizioso, then its success in Qatar during the opening round of the 2018 season. Or even the regular outbursts of Danilo Petrucci and Jack Miller, 2nd and 4th of the French Grand Prix, on the Desmosedici Pramac.

But the mayonnaise does not take with Lorenzo, who points to an anonymous 14th place in the provisional with only 16 points registered on the first five Grands Prix. Or an average of 3.2 points per race! Worse: "Jorgeuil" is only the fifth Ducati rider in the standings, behind three satellite riders and his teammate Dovizioso !

  • World Championship :

Danilo Petrucci is indeed the first representative of Bologna in 5th place in the provisional in front of his teammate Jack Miller, while Andrea Dovizioso and Tito Rabat are respectively 9th and 11th. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is dominated by Pol Espargaro on the KTM (13th with 18 pts) and is tied on points with the debutant Franco Morbidelli !

Ducati feels "a touch of bitterness" about Lorenzo

The separation between Lorenzo and Ducati therefore appears inevitable, especially since the n ° 99 does not intend to sell off its emoluments. However, the Rouge brand is determined to lower its fixed salary, but offers to inflate its performance bonuses. In other words: to continue to collect a big check from Ducati, Lorenzo will have to win races. Logic, finally !

MotoGP - Jorge Lorenzo on a satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? -

"Lorenzo is a great rider, who failed to extract the best from our bike. A bike that has great strengths and some weaknesses," commented Reds big boss Claudio Dominecali. "Unfortunately, neither he nor the technicians have so far succeeded in ensuring that he expresses his talent as well as possible. It is a touch of bitterness that remains to us".

Failing to find an agreement and to see progress, relations between the Mallorcan and his Italian employer have deteriorated sharply, and this since the end of last season … Some members of the team have still not digested the GP of Valence 2017, when Lorenzo had deliberately ignored the instructions asking him to let his teammate pass…

"I am not a great pilot: I am a champion!"

Dovizioso, in contention for the world title against Marquez, was then stuck for a long time in Lorenzo’s wheel, before going to the fault shortly after the fall of the Mallorcan. A "double zero" in the form of cruel disappointment for Ducati and "DesmoDovi", even if the Italian had sportingly refrained from throwing stones at "Loren-Show"…

MotoGP - Jorge Lorenzo on a Satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? -

To a lesser extent, the scenario repeated itself again this year at the Spanish GP: Dovizioso found himself blocked by Lorenzo, whose pace gradually fell after a superb start to the race..

And there again, the scene ended with the two official Ducatis in the gravel: after being overtaken by "Dovi", Lorenzo was struck by Pedrosa while coming back to the rope, hitting Dovizioso’s Desmosidici in his fall. . Admittedly, this collision is an unfortunate fact of racing, but all the same…

Jorge Lorenzo, stung by Dominecali’s statement, gave his point of view with his usual modesty: "I am not a great pilot, I am a champion: the chef can say what he wants, it doesn’t not distract ", he said, admitting nevertheless that he should" respect the opinion of the chief ". Atmosphere !

"I did not withdraw"

In view of this situation, the question is finally no longer to know "if" Lorenzo remains at Ducati, but rather "when" will be announced the end of this chaotic collaboration! The two parties are naturally questioned on this subject since their arrival at the Italian GP, ​​on the land of the transalpine manufacturer..

MotoGP - Jorge Lorenzo on a Satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? -

"I can assure you that I will be riding a competitive bike for the next two seasons: I am not retiring," replied Jorge Lorenzo in reaction to the many questions about his future. "That’s all I can tell you right now about my future. Maybe you will have more information on this subject in Montmeló (on June 17th, editor’s note).

Because as crazy as it may seem, the possibility that the 31-year-old five-time world champion finds himself without handlebars in 2019 has taken shape in recent weeks! Quite simply because its possibilities of fall back on a good motorcycle are not legion: to bounce back at Honda in place of Dani Pedrosa, to recover the handlebars of the Suzuki of Andrea Iannone or to try your luck in a satellite team.

"Difficult to know what will be the future of Jorge", comments for his part Lin Jarvis. "The situation is not simple: he is still part of the Ducati clan, at least officially because many people announce an imminent divorce. And he has always been used to evolving within an official team", underlines the leader of the official Yamaha team where Lorenzo raced for a long time.

No decline at Honda or Suzuki…

Problem: the doors of the official teams seem to slam in Lorenzo’s face. Thus, concerning the possibility that it integrates the HRC, it seems that neither Honda-Repsol and even less Marc Marquez are in favor. As for Suzuki, the reigning Moto3 champion on which Honda also had plans to replace Pedrosa.

  • MNC of 23 May 2018 : The fate of Pedrosa and Lorenzo will be sealed in the days to come
  • MNC Live – 2018 Italian GP: Iannone on the start with Suzuki but ahead at Mugello

"There is no secret: yes, we are working to finalize an agreement with Joan Mir," Davide Brivio, team manager of the Suzuki Ecstar team confirmed on Friday. "The deal is not done yet, we need a little more time. I hope it will be done soon.".

There remains the possibility of recovering the Aprilia of Scott Redding, completely transparent in the crest of Noale. But this scenario does not seem credible: despite the admirable involvement of Aleix Espargaro, the RS-GP is not up to par. No question for Lorenzo to continue his career on a motorcycle "under construction", incapable in the current state of bringing him on the podium.

A Yamaha satellite with official support ?

Another surprising and logical alternative: Lorenzo could leave the Ducati factory team to move into a … satellite team. Like that of Marc VDS, who would like to swap his Honda for Yamaha to replace Tech3! Jorge "Aspar" Martinez – currently linked to Ducati – would also be in the line to recover the M1s, and by extension Lorenzo. Which means that the Mallorcan would become a private pilot, as is for example Johann Zarco !

  • MNC Live : Off the track for Michael Bartholemy, manager of the Marc VDS team

Except that some suggest that the crest of Iwata could decide to give official support to its former star rider, as Honda does with Crutchlow at LCR and Ducati with Petrucci at Pramac. That is exactly the type of assembly that Johann Zarco and his manager demanded from Yamaha … In vain.

Recruiting Lorenzo through a private team – Aspar or Marc VDS – would it be possible for Lin Jarvis? "It could be", replied the person who undoubtedly sees a double interest: the possibility of recovering a top driver and that – perhaps even more attractive – to have Lorenzo’s feedback about the M1, which still stumble Rossi and Viñales.

For Rossi, a return from Lorenzo would be both positive and negative

"I’ve been his teammate for nine seasons, he’s a very, very, good rider, able to ride the Yamaha wonderfully," replied Valentino Rossi of Lorenzo’s potential return to Yamaha. Process otherwise identical to that of the Doctor, returned to Yamaha in 2013 after his failed stint at Ducati !

MotoGP - Jorge Lorenzo on a Satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? -

"I think it will be complicated if Jorge comes back to our clan," however frankly admits the nine-time world champion, aware of the speed of his former box neighbor. "But you know, the situation will be quite similar to that of this year, because we already have Johann (Zarco, Editor’s note). On the one hand, it may be more difficult, but on the other hand there is also more motivation ".

Viñales pushed to surpass himself with Lorenzo and Rossi by his side

Maverick Viñales, who replaces – without convincing – Jorge Lorenzo in the official Yamaha team, also believes that a return of the Mallorcan on the M1 could make it possible to bring positive developments to the bike of the Iwata crest. However, the Spanish considers this possibility with a certain reserve, not to say mistrust….

MotoGP - Jorge Lorenzo on a Satellite Yamaha MotoGP in 2019? -

"I think it’s always important to have great riders with us because they help us improve the bike," said "Mack", currently second in the provisional behind Marquez. "With Jorge we have quite different styles, but it can be interesting".

"In this way, it would be possible to see if the bike works in both cases. For me anyway, having Jorge and Valentino by my side would be positive. It’s motivating and it pushes to surpass oneself", assures the n ° 25 who must secretly wonder if Jorge Lorenzo does not plan to resume his place within the official team more or less soon !

Finally, it should be noted that Maverick Viñales would consider getting rid of Ramon Forcada, the former chief mechanic of Jorge Lorenzo who remained at Yamaha when the Mallorcan left for Ducati. From then on, it is easy to imagine towards whom Forcada would be "resettled" in the event of a hypothetical return of Lorenzo on a Yamaha M1: we do not change a winning team, do we? ?!

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