At the end, Jorge Lorenzo signed a 25 million deal to wear a red leather suit for the next two years. And not to play Daredevil's role in Marvel's tv series by Netflix.
Lorenzo parts his way from Yamaha (currently the best available MotoGP) to join Ducati Corse.
Ducatisti (and the sponsors) finally have again a top rider on the Desmosedici after Stoner (2007-2010) and Rossi (2011-2012).
The rumor of Lorenzo joining Ducati was in the air, but it sounded "weird" in some way. The reigning world champion, parts from the best bike.
You may hint that he had 25 milion of good reasons to accept, but Lorenzo didn't do it for just money. Ducati offered likely 25% more than Yamaha, but 25 million with uncertain competitiveness vs 20 million plus the best MotoGP available, sounds like two pretty aligned deals.
How they did it?
Seems like there was a (yellow) elephant in the decision room. After 2015 World Championship won by Lorenzo, was clear that having Valentino and Jorge again in the same team would not be that easy. And the relationship between Lorenzo and Yamaha looked less warm than it used few months earlier.
Rossi is a living legend and has an incomparable charisma. On the other hand Lorenzo is (with Marquez) the most strong rider currently available on the market, so looks unbelievable that the guys from Iwata let him go. But that's it.
f Rossi played a role in this game, hat off to the strategy he adopted. For sure he tried to influence this decision (the VR46 signed a partnership with Yamaha for merchandising) and he said to Lorenzo "it takes courage to go with Ducati,so you probably won't". But it's hard to believe that Lorenzo or Yamaha can be influenced so easily.
It takes courage.
Lorenzo's winning chances with Ducati? Bookmakers and the time will tell. Rossi admitted: “Jorge had courage”.
But the main question is: can Lorenzo succeed where even Rossi didn't?
When Valentino signed with Ducati, at that time the Desmosedici (with Stoner) won 3 of the last six 2010 grand prix. The Desmosedici competitivity was not questioned. At that time.
Nowadays, even if Ducati average competitiveness seems improved, point of fact, the last MotoGP Ducati victory has still Stoner's signature dated 2010.
It takes courage.
Lorenzo parts his way from Yamaha (currently the best available MotoGP) to join Ducati Corse.
Ducatisti (and the sponsors) finally have again a top rider on the Desmosedici after Stoner (2007-2010) and Rossi (2011-2012).
The rumor of Lorenzo joining Ducati was in the air, but it sounded "weird" in some way. The reigning world champion, parts from the best bike.
You may hint that he had 25 milion of good reasons to accept, but Lorenzo didn't do it for just money. Ducati offered likely 25% more than Yamaha, but 25 million with uncertain competitiveness vs 20 million plus the best MotoGP available, sounds like two pretty aligned deals.
How they did it?
Seems like there was a (yellow) elephant in the decision room. After 2015 World Championship won by Lorenzo, was clear that having Valentino and Jorge again in the same team would not be that easy. And the relationship between Lorenzo and Yamaha looked less warm than it used few months earlier.
Rossi is a living legend and has an incomparable charisma. On the other hand Lorenzo is (with Marquez) the most strong rider currently available on the market, so looks unbelievable that the guys from Iwata let him go. But that's it.
f Rossi played a role in this game, hat off to the strategy he adopted. For sure he tried to influence this decision (the VR46 signed a partnership with Yamaha for merchandising) and he said to Lorenzo "it takes courage to go with Ducati,so you probably won't". But it's hard to believe that Lorenzo or Yamaha can be influenced so easily.
It takes courage.
Lorenzo's winning chances with Ducati? Bookmakers and the time will tell. Rossi admitted: “Jorge had courage”.
But the main question is: can Lorenzo succeed where even Rossi didn't?
When Valentino signed with Ducati, at that time the Desmosedici (with Stoner) won 3 of the last six 2010 grand prix. The Desmosedici competitivity was not questioned. At that time.
Nowadays, even if Ducati average competitiveness seems improved, point of fact, the last MotoGP Ducati victory has still Stoner's signature dated 2010.
It takes courage.
