Following weeks of speculation, it has been confirmed that Jorge Lorenzo will be joining Ducati at the end of the 2016 MotoGP season.
Lorenzo has been with the Factory Yamaha team since he joined the premier class in 2008. This followed on from his success in the 250cc class, which he won in 2006 and 2007. Lorenzo has been one of the Japanese manufacturers most successful riders ever, with the Spaniard winning the MotoGP title in 2010, 2012 and 2015. However, following his decision announced and confirmed by Yamaha and Ducati, the triple World Champion will make the switch to take on the challenges coming his way with Ducati.
Yamaha released a statement announcing that its partnership with Jorge Lorenzo “will be discontinued at the close of the 2016 MotoGP season when Lorenzo will move on to new racing challenges.”
They added “Yamaha is extremely grateful for Jorge’s contributions to its racing successes and looks forward to sharing more memorable moments during the remaining fifteen MotoGP rounds of 2016; their ninth season together. Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Wishes Lorenzo the very best in his future racing endeavours and reconfirms the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team’s full support on his campaign to achieve his fourth MotoGP title”.
Shortly after, Ducati released a statement announcing Lorenzo as their new rider for 2017.
“Ducati announces that it has reached an agreement with Jorge Lorenzo whereby the Spaniard will compete in the MotoGP World Championship in 2017 and 2018 on the Ducati Desmosedici GP.”
Following this decision by Lorenzo, the MotoGP game of musical chairs can begin, with the entire 2016 grid not having a deal done yet for 2017. Ducati will have to make room for Lorenzo and will have to release at least one of either Andrea Dovizioso or Andrea Iannone. Lorenzo’s replacement at the Yamaha team is rumoured to be Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales, who has impressed so far this season on the GSX-RR. The only confirmed riders for 2017 are Bradley Smith, who is moving to the new KTM team who join up to the Championship in 2017, Valentino Rossi and Sam Lowes, who will move up to the Aprilia team.
