Jorge Lorenzo is already a MotoGP Legend

Jorge Lorenzo became the 33rd MotoGP Legend since Saturday afternoon, a moment long overdue due to the pandemic since the start of 2020 he was nominated along with Italian Max Biaggi and New Zealander Hugh Andersson for that year performed the corresponding ceremony. But good things are long overdue and the Mallorcan, now a DAZN commentator, has enjoyed due tribute surrounded by Yamaha, Ducati and Honda staff, his three MotoGP teams, and riders like Marc Márquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Jack Miller, Alex Rins, Jorge Martín, Taka Nakagami, Tony Arbolino, Pedro Acosta and his great rival Dani Pedrosa, who has been a Legend since November 2018, don’t want to miss it.

He has a total of 68 victories and 152 podiums on his record, 47 victories and 114 podiums in the star category, he is a two -time 250cc world champion with Aprilia (2006 and 2007) and a three -time MotoGP champion with Yamaha (2010 , 2012 and 2015). He jumped at MotoGP in 2008 with Yamaha where he rode until 2016, he moved to Ducati in 2017 and 2018 and his last active season was at Repsol Honda in 2019.

The ceremony began with highlights of his MotoGP career that confirmed his legend, commemorating the boy who made his mandatory debut at the mandatory age of 15 in the 125cc in Jerez, who reigned supreme in the 250cc, his spectacular ride based on ‘butter and hammer’, which gave him up to five world titles, his celebrations in front of a serious and proud Jorge Lorenzo who sat on a stool at the stand and carefully watched the video which ended with applause from the gathered in the press conference room of the Jerez circuit.

The CEO of Dorna, Carmelo Ezpeleta, has taken the floor: “For me it was a very special moment and I am happy that after this pandemic we are doing it with Jorge, we promised him then and unfortunately “luckily we can’t do it. The images became special for MotoGP when he started in Jerez the day after his 15th birthday, I was in front of someone special I thought”

“In my opinion, Jorge is first of all an amazing person, very emotional, a friend, he tries to do his best in everything he does, an incredible driver. For us he is became someone very special and allowed us to grow, was a special moment for MotoGP and for me and I want to thank you and be the 33rd MotoGP legend, part of the most important rider in MotoGP history. Thank you Jorge. “

Then Jorge Lorenzo went to the floor: “I came 20 years ago at 14 years old, I didn’t make my debut in the first two and I debuted on Saturday. I finished the last race a minute and a half from the first but I finished. I look so good. Weak, skinny a lot to learn.On Friday I was with the scooter watching the category idols pass by and I thought, I never thought I would reach that level, but after 20 years here I am retired, sadly, because I miss it but time passes for everyone and you need to know how to accept it ”.

“Not only have I reached the level of my 125cc idols, but I have better all of the 2002 idols except Valentino. I have traveled all over the world, I have met people who gave me a lot, I have face the best, especially with Marc and I achieved all my dreams thanks to motogp. Being a legend is more important than being a champion because not all champions are considered legends. I am lucky for the life I have thanks to this incredible sport. “

And after receiving the Legend triangle medal they posted an iconic well-known photograph with the five Lorenzo champions.

“The three most emotional moments of my career were my first victory in Brazil 2003 because it meant knowing that now I would survive from racing, the first 2006 250cc championship and the first in MotoGP. because this is the most you can achieve and I can retire quietly and then I repeat it, fortunately ”.

And about his new role as a commentator, he acknowledged being “he was happy to explain my experience from the outside and what my rivals were doing, in my view and respect for the drivers”.

María Guerrero and her sister Laura were among those present, but not her father Chicho Lorenzo due to the eleventh family disagreement between them.yes Jorge recognized that “the most important person is my mother who gave me life and professionalism, my father because without him I would not be here. Also Amatriain, my two other managers, my mechanic Juanito Llansá, many people, some are here., Others are not, but they are all important to my success. And about the absence of his father, he admitted that he did not invite him: “My father has a complex character and this was another of our discussions and we didn’t talk for a long time and I didn’t think. It’s fitting for him to be here, I didn’t think to invite him. “

He admitted that “personally, I was not easy to get along with as a driver, I had ideas and was very direct, but professionally, many would agree that I was determined, in the last 10 years of my career, I didn’t make mistakes and the my concentration is one of my strengths. “

And it won’t be easy for you if one of your children wants to be a pilot: “If I were a father someday I would try to stop him from being a pilot, luckily I lived good moments and I risked my life in serious injuries and I don’t want my son to have bad time, it’s a wonderful sport, riding a motorcycle is a huge pleasure, because the TV is wonderful, but parents have a bad time, I don’t sponsor it, ”he said while his mother Mary nodded from her chair.

He shared the box with Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez and he had words for two: “Valentino was an animal, super complete, great braker, great cornering, he fell slightly, a racing beast and beat him on the last impossible lap. Outside he was the most charismatic in history and being a teammate.is hard, all lights on him and if you are not strong you can feel lethargic.It has helped me to think positively and want to go faster to able to defeat him “.

“Marc is technically an animal, he has a very special way of driving, braking up to the kitchen, he grows up in tough moments, he has a lot of ambition, it’s very hard to beat on the track, but I’m luckier to beat Marc than Valentino in melee, two out of the series where I enjoyed competing and winning “

“There are always thorns to remove, it could have gone better, but also a lot but and I am hyper happy with what I have achieved, previously if I stayed with Yamaha I would have won more and championships and if the win. In Mugello with Ducati had come Before that I would have another one with Ducati, I think, and I would still be active, I don’t think about it, I’m lucky “.

The Legends of MotoGP

Giacomo Agostini
Hugh Anderson*
Kork Ballington
Max Biaggi *
Alex Criville
Mike Doohan
Stefan Dorflinger
Geoff Duke
Wayne Gardner
Nicky Hayden
mike hailwood
Daijiro Katō
Eddie Lawson
Jorge Lorenzo
Marco Lucchinelli
Randy Mamola
Anton Mang
Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar’
grandson of the angel
Daniel Pedrosa
Wayne Rainey
Phil Read
Jim Redman
Kenny Roberts
Kenny Roberts Jr.
valentino rossi
Jarno Saarinen
kevin schwantz
Barry Sheene
Marco Simoncelli
freddie spencer
Casey Stoner
John Surtees
Carlo Ubbiali
Franco Uncini
* ceremony earrings