It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

Well there you go, the worst kept secret from the silly season is finally out. So compared to when both VR and Cal made the move this may be fairly good for JL with where Ducati are now as a team and especially how well the bike has come along in recent times. I'm sure the €15,000,000 pay cheque helped a little ;)

Now who's going to get that other factory Yamaha seat? A good bet would be Viñales but Suzuki is trying really hard to stop him jumping ship. Other names being banded about are Pedrosa or Iannone but the game of musical Motogp chairs won't be over for a while yet so we'll have to wait and see!

:smt023

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

JL has certainly moved at the right time as Ducati is getting more ridable and competitive. Be nice to see a JL and CS line up at Ducati but can't see that happening.

I can't see why Pedrosa would want to go from No.2 at Honda to No.2 at Yamaha unless Honda makes that choice for him. Given the Yamaha's strenghts, I think he would suit the bike. Vinales looks like their main target but would love to see someone like Petrucci given a factory ride

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

I find it very disappointing that this has come out so early in the season,!!!

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

Yes I agree, it'd certainly provide fantastic viewing when dicing with MM

Understandably Dani isn't going to jump at the offer of being bridesmaid again. However, he is a dependable and reliable No.2 rider but then it'd just be another alien on a factory bike whereas I'd too would prefer an up and coming rider to be given the chance.


Me too Trev!

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

Assuming JL wins the title this year, and this has happened many times when riders or drivers have changed makes for next season...should the rider take the number one plate with him ( which actually will be displayed on a Ducati that didn't win the World title ) the bike and rider as a combination won the title,and Yamaha,( the winning maker) won't. Discuss !!!

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

I'd say take the No.1 with them, it is the rider who won that number and it belongs to them for the next season to defend on whatever bike they end up on - but I get what you're saying about the bike :)

If VR didn't run with the No.46 and chose to use No.1 after winning his early championships then it would have been the case in '04 when he switched over to Yamaha from Honda after winning the '03 season with the No.1 plate on an unproven and fairly under-performing bike.

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

I always think of the rider rather than the bike when it comes to race numbers so I don't mind seeing it on the Ducati if JL wins, although I imagine he'd keep his 99

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

He's used a 1 plate before - albeit a silly one made up of his initials.

Feels odd hearing about all this as I can't see any of it this year. Told BT to shove it at the end of last season after they put a fee on their "free" subscription for broadband customers.

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

ITV4 still offer highlights, not great but better than nothing I suppose http://www.itv.com/hub/motogp-highlights/2a3100a0040
:)

Re: It's Official - Lorenzo to Ducati
 

I must admit I only have BT TV for the MotoGP. Sky for the superbikes :D