The rumours we all knew were true have now been officially confirmed – Jorge Lorenzo is headed to Ducati.
Ducati has been pursuing Lorenzo since Casey Stoner’s illness in 2009, but Jorge has turned them down on multiple occasions.
But it’s now been confirmed that Lorenzo has signed a two year deal with Ducati, starting in 2017.
The Ducati MotoGP team has not won a race since Casey Stoner’s departure at the end of 2010, with the Australian claiming Ducati’s only championship back in 2007.
Valentino Rossi had two seasons with Ducati in 2011 and 2012, and claimed just three podium finishes.
The Ducati Desmosedici is now considered by many, including senior figures inside the Italian factory and star test rider Stoner, as capable of winning and by bringing Lorenzo on board the Italian manufacturer is hoping to secure another MotoGP title.
Lorenzo will once again be working with team boss Luigi Dall’Igna, who moved to Ducati from Aprilia in 2013.
The pair worked together during Lorenzo’s successful time at Aprilia.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. officially announced today that its partnership with Jorge Lorenzo will be discontinued at the close of the 2016 MotoGP season.
It brings to an end an eight year relationship that saw Jorge Lorenzo and Yamaha claim three MotoGP titles (2010, 2012 and 2015), 41 races wins and 99 podiums together.
Yamaha has already confirmed Valentino Rossi for 2017 and 2018, but are now looking for a second rider to replace Lorenzo.
Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales has been suggested as the most likely candidate but Yamaha will make no further announcements until a rider is confirmed.