Jorge Lorenzo Refutes Assertions of a Massive Ducati Salary, Stating They Offered Less Than €1 Million Against Standard €12 Million Contracts

Jorge Lorenzo has provided a glimpse into his contract negotiations with Ducati, refuting allegations regarding his substantial earnings.

Ducati placed their bets on Lorenzo, and before him, Valentino Rossi, both renowned MotoGP victors, aiming to break a prolonged victory drought.

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However, both ventures famously did not yield the desired outcomes, and Lorenzo has elaborated on his departure from Ducati following two lackluster seasons.

"Ducati's tolerance waned following eighteen months devoid of success," he mentioned in a statement to AS.

Their confidence in me had vanished. Not even a million euros was put on the table for me, despite contracts at the time going for 12.

They favored a racer such as Danilo Petrucci.

"I wasn't even presented with a proposal."

Facing a critical juncture in his career, Lorenzo quickly opted to join Honda in 2019.

However, it turned out to be his most challenging year in MotoGP, leading Lorenzo to retire following a single season with Honda.

Lorenzo refutes claims of a lucrative contract with Ducati

Lorenzo failed to achieve the same level of success he enjoyed at Yamaha, where he secured two MotoGP titles.

Following a third-place finish in 2017, marked by intense competition with team member Rossi, Lorenzo decided to leave Yamaha.

"He admitted to having little interest."

"They intensified their efforts, and this was particularly evident in Valencia, more so for Valentino than for myself."

Lorenzo's decision to join Ducati was influenced by Gigi Dall'Igna.

Lorenzo joined the Dall’Igna Desmosedici initiative before it gained momentum, but the manufacturer achieved success in the following years.

"Lorenzo expressed confidence in Gigi's ability to elevate the Ducati to the top motorcycle status, attributing it to his unwavering determination."

"It somewhat mirrored the scenario of Lewis Hamilton departing from McLaren for Mercedes – a squad yet to claim any titles, but with the conviction they'd helm the top vehicle in Formula 1."

"I experienced a similar gut feeling regarding Ducati."

Lorenzo refuted claims that his initial contract with Ducati was as exorbitantly high as it has been portrayed at times.

He asserted that it actually exceeded his Yamaha earnings by 15%.

"The alteration wasn't financially motivated, despite what many believe."

"The 15% didn't transform my existence. It was primarily about inspiration."

"My experience at Ducati was not successful."

Four years following Lorenzo's departure, Ducati concluded their 15-year drought of MotoGP championships, a streak that had persisted since Casey Stoner's victory in 2007.

Pecco Bagnaia secured the championship for the Italian brand, confirming Ducati's status as MotoGP's top motorcycle for the second consecutive year.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on various sports, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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"Disrespectful" Andrea Iannone as a MotoGP victor? "That was always unlikely"

Discussion reignites over Andrea Iannone's initial MotoGP stint

It has been suggested that Andrea Iannone's career, which appeared to be halted by a suspension, would not have led to a MotoGP championship victory regardless.

Iannone's career in MotoGP was prematurely ended in 2019 due to a four-year suspension for doping, yet he briefly returned for the Malaysian race the previous weekend.

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His short comeback sparked discussions on whether his skill level was enough to secure a MotoGP championship if he hadn't faced suspension.

"His talent has always been evident," Michael Laverty from TNT Sports remarked.

"Undoubtedly, he was among the quickest in MotoGP during his prime. It's refreshing to see his return – though I'm aware that some might disagree since he hasn't shown remorse or acknowledged his guilt."

"I have some sympathy towards him because his career was destroyed."

Neil Hodgson commented, "Regarding Iannone, opinions within the paddock are divided. This isn't about his suspension, but rather about his character as a whole."

"In this paddock, opinions on him are sharply divided. A number of individuals are fond of him, while others remain skeptical."

"Collaborating with him proved to be difficult during interviews; his temperamental nature and unexpected demeanor were surprising. Additionally, witnessing his discourteous behavior towards fans was something I found hard to tolerate."

"Over the years, I've had opportunities to be around him. However, I've heard that during his second stint in World Superbikes, he appears to have changed significantly as a person."

More humble and finding pleasure in his second attempt.

Observers claimed he could have been a MotoGP champion, but his performance was declining in 2019, ending in 16th place.

"His prime was behind him. He enjoyed an outstanding career and might have remained in MotoGP for a few more years, but we shouldn't deceive ourselves into thinking the suspension stopped him from becoming a MotoGP champion; that was unlikely to occur."

Iannone reached the pinnacle of his seven-year MotoGP career by securing a fifth-place finish in 2015 while riding for Ducati.

He ended up in 17th place at Sepang this past weekend, subsequently expressing his amazement at the increased physical demands of riding a MotoGP bike compared to 2019.

In his debut season of the World Superbike Championship, Iannone secured the seventh position and is set to make a comeback in 2025 with Team Go Eleven Ducati.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where his coverage spanned a variety of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Could Marc Marquez ultimately influence the outcome of the MotoGP championship battle?

Will he play a role in the showdown between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin?

Marc Marquez has been a significant figure in the determination of the MotoGP championship, influencing the outcome between two competitors.

He uneasily mentioned his infamous participation in the 2015 incident involving Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi when asked about his thoughts on this year's championship finale.

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Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin are set to compete for the championship in the season's final race next weekend.

It has been alleged that Marquez will avoid getting involved.

"Every criterion has been met. His strategy shows greater maturity these days; he's steering clear of the conflict between Jorge and Pecco," TNT Sports' Michael Laverty noted.

"He may pass, but only if it's safe. Despite his aggressive nature, I believe he would prefer to play it safe."

"However, it's certain that he'll influence the final results either by scoring points or by complicating things for them."

Neil Hodgson mentioned, "Marc won't make any rash decisions.

"Does he value finishing third in the championship? Securing a victory is of greater significance to him."

The additional challenge lies in Marquez's situation come 2025.

Next season, he is set to join the factory Ducati team, where he will team up with either the thrice-crowned champion Bagnaia or a version of Bagnaia who is coping with the loss of his title.

The expectations from the Italian maker regarding Marquez's conduct could play a role in the upcoming week.

Marquez's aspirations for the championship have ended this season, yet he aims to achieve success in 2025 with the top-performing bikes in MotoGP.

Martin is ahead of Bagnaia by 24 points with only a sprint race and a grand prix left in the season.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports including American games, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi reunited for a race at the VR46 Ranch. The two-time MotoGP world champion joined Rossi for a ride at his VR46 facility.

The tension between Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi seems to be easing as they shared the track at the VR46 Ranch last weekend.

Two-time MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi were fierce competitors during their racing careers in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

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The tension between the two competitors peaked during the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix when Rossi collided with Stoner. This incident prompted Stoner to deliver his now-famous comment to the seasoned Italian, saying, "your ambition outweighs your talent."

In January, Stoner pointed out that incident and mentioned Rossi's subsequent attempt to apologize as the point at which he lost respect for him.

In a conversation with Moto.it, Stoner expressed: "It was tough to witness Vale's arrival at Ducati, knowing the immense pressure they faced, which they truly did not deserve."

"They performed excellently, managing to accomplish a significant amount despite having a very limited budget."

"Regrettably, Valentino and his engineer, Jeremy Burgess, expressed unfavorable opinions about both myself and my team."

The statement essentially suggested that we were clueless and promised a speedy repair of the bike. This was quite offensive to me, considering the efforts of my team.

"Despite our limited financial resources, we remained contenders for the title, something they couldn't achieve even with a larger budget."

The duo seems to be moving on from their previous issues, as Rossi extended an invitation to Stoner to join him for a ride at his ranch in Tavullia last weekend.

Casey Stoner is truly making the most of his time in Italy 🤩❤️‍🔥 It's an all-out challenge at Valentino's Ranch in Tavullia! #SkyMotori #SkyMotoGP #MotoGP #ValentinoRossi pic.twitter.com/W8L56bYfV3— Sky Sport MotoGP (@SkySportMotoGP) November 10, 2024

Casey Stoner is truly making the most of his time in Italy 🤩❤️‍🔥 It's an all-out challenge at Valentino's Ranch in Tavullia! #SkyMotori #SkyMotoGP #MotoGP #ValentinoRossi pic.twitter.com/W8L56bYfV3

At EICMA, the biggest motorcycle exhibition in the world held in Milan, Valentino Rossi extended an invitation to Casey Stoner, the MotoGP champion of 2007 and 2011, to visit his ranch and ride on his renowned dirt track.

A short update on social media by Stoner revealed that the two were sharing a meal.

Stoner expressed that over the past 12 years, many things have evolved in his relationship with Vale, including aspects related to family and friends.

"The enthusiasm for cycling will remain constant. I appreciate the chance to ride alongside you once more!"

Rossi has recently revealed that his yearly 100km of Champions event is scheduled for January 10-11 at his ranch. This event will include participants from his VR46 Academy along with other notable figures in the motorcycle racing community.

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Casey Stoner's comeback falls flat in unique racing event

MotoGP icon participates in EICMA Charity Race of Champions

Casey Stoner did not secure victory at the Charity Race of Champions held in Italy.

The EICMA event in Milan, renowned as one of the largest motorcycle trade shows globally, united legendary racers for an innovative contest this weekend.

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Check out this Instagram post from Beta Motorcycles (@betamotor1905)

Stoner was the main highlight, yet he was defeated in the semi-finals.

The structure of these elimination chase races placed cyclists in direct head-to-head competition.

Stoner emerged victorious over Randy Mamola in the opening round, as Marco Melandri triumphed against Loris Capirossi.

Troy Bayliss and Carlos Checa successfully moved on to the following round. Bayliss secured a victory over Melandri.

Stoner crashed during his semi-final match against Checa, resulting in a loss.

Bayliss triumphed over Checa in the 'road' final, securing his spot to compete against the victor of the 'off-road' division in the grand finale.

Christophe Pourcel emerged victorious in the 'off-road' category, surpassing Checa to claim the title at the EICMA Charity Race of Champions.

For numerous MotoGP enthusiasts, witnessing legends of the past temporarily step back into a competitive setting was merely an interesting diversion.

Stoner, a two-time champion in MotoGP, generally maintains a low profile and stays away from the sport following his retirement.

Mounted on a Beta Special Flat Track Project, sporting the number 27, he managed to revisit his former glory on the dirt circuits.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide array of sports, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Headline: Iannone Misses Barcelona MotoGP; VR46 Selects Pirro Instead

Summary: Ducati's test rider, Pirro, is set to take Di Giannantonio's spot for the final race of the 2024 season.

The VR46 MotoGP team has revealed that Andrea Iannone will be absent from the GP23 at the Solidarity Grand Prix, and Michele Pirro will take his place.

VR46's regular racer, Fabio Di Giannantonio, concluded his 2024 racing season at the Thai Grand Prix. He made the decision to undergo surgery on his left shoulder, which he had dislocated back in August during the Austrian Grand Prix.

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Di Giannantonio underwent a successful surgery; however, it resulted in his absence from the final two races of the 2024 season to ensure his readiness for the GP25 pre-season testing scheduled for next February.

Last week at the Malaysian Grand Prix, Valentino Rossi offered Andrea Iannone his first chance to compete in a MotoGP event since 2019. Over the weekend, the Italian rider demonstrated bursts of speed, ultimately finishing 17th in the race.

Initially, Iannone was uncertain about his participation in the final race in Barcelona, which was relocated from Valencia because of the severe flooding that affected the area.

In the lead-up to this weekend's Barcelona finale, referred to as the Solidarity GP, VR46 announced on Monday that Ducati's test rider, Pirro, will be stepping in for Di Giannantonio.

This event will be Pirro's debut appearance in 2024, as Ducati is reportedly eager to take advantage of Di Giannantonio's absence by providing their test rider with important race experience before the post-Solidarity GP test.

Pirro has been unable to participate in any wildcard events this year because Ducati is limited by the concession regulations.

"Pirro expressed his gratitude to the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team and Ducati for providing him with the fantastic chance to finish the season on a MotoGP bike."

"Competing in this category is always enjoyable, especially while representing Valentino's colors. I want to express my gratitude to him, as well as to Uccio Salucci and Pablo Nieto."

I want to give a warm hug to Fabio. He was performing admirably, but it's challenging to not be in top physical condition for this engine category. However, next year, he has an excellent chance with the GP25.

"I am eager to compete with the GP23, as it will allow me to assess the progress we have achieved."

"I’m not setting any goals for the race, but I’m glad to participate. I’m also racing in support of everyone impacted by the Valencia floods, and I aim to make the team and support staff proud. Looking forward to seeing you all on the track."

Participating in the Solidarity GP will allow Pirro to continue his streak of racing in at least one MotoGP event each year since his only full-time season in 2012.

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MotoGP announces new dates for the initial 2025 test session in Barcelona. Test after Solidarity GP has been officially scheduled.

MotoGP has announced that the initial testing session for the 2025 season is scheduled for the Tuesday following the last race of the 2024 season in Barcelona.

Except for the COVID-affected 2020 campaign and the 2021 season, MotoGP has usually held a testing session right after the last race of the year.

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Recently, this test has taken place in Valencia, with the past two years having it occur on the Tuesday following the season's concluding race.

Originally scheduled for 2024, the Valencia GP had to be called off after severe flooding hit the Valencia area at the beginning of this month.

MotoGP has organized a substitute event for this weekend in Barcelona, named the Solidarity GP, but there has been no confirmation yet on whether the test will proceed as scheduled.

Dorna Sports anticipated that the official test organized by the International Race Teams’ Association (IRTA) would take place on Tuesday, November 19th; however, this was still awaiting confirmation.

On Monday, before the final event this weekend, a Dorna representative announced that the test will proceed as scheduled.

The event is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. local time and continue until 5 p.m. (which is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. GMT). Following the conclusion, a 15-minute practice session is planned to take place.

Even though the location has changed, MotoGP intends to continue with its customary end-of-season activities.

Although specifics are yet to be determined, MotoGP plans to hold its awards ceremony on the Sunday following the season's last race, where the world champion's trophy will be presented to either Jorge Martin or Francesco Bagnaia.

During the award ceremony, MotoGP plans to unveil an updated version of its logo.

This year's post-race testing session will feature some noteworthy debuts, with Marc Marquez making headlines as he enters the factory Ducati team to try out the GP25, which he is set to race with Bagnaia in 2025.

Martin, who is poised to potentially become the champion this weekend, enters the round with a 24-point lead over Bagnaia. He is about to experience the factory Aprilia for the first time.

Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini are set to experience riding a KTM for the first time, whereas Marco Bezzecchi will get a chance to test out an Aprilia.

Jack Miller is set to reunite with Pramac, marking the debut experience with Yamaha equipment for both him and the team. Meanwhile, the involvement of his teammate, Miguel Oliveira, is in question due to a wrist fracture sustained during an accident at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

Last weekend, the Portuguese motorcyclist got back to on-bike training and might be planning to race again in Barcelona, marking his last event with Trackhouse Aprilia.

Ai Ogura from Trackhouse Aprilia and Somkiat Chantra from LCR Honda are set to experience MotoGP bikes for the first time as they prepare for their debut seasons.

Fermin Aldeguer is scheduled to test the Gresini Ducati, although his involvement is in doubt as he is still healing from a wrist fracture sustained during the Thai Grand Prix.

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MotoGP announces new dates for the initial 2025 testing session in Barcelona

Test after the Solidarity GP has been officially scheduled

MotoGP has announced that the initial testing session for the 2025 season is scheduled for the Tuesday following the last race of the 2024 season, which will occur in Barcelona.

Except for the COVID-19 affected 2020 season and the 2021 season, MotoGP typically conducts a test session following the last race of the year.

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Lately, the test has taken place in Valencia, occurring on the Tuesday following the season's last race for the past two years.

This event was set to take place again in 2024, but severe flooding in the Valencia area earlier this month led to the cancellation of the Valencia Grand Prix.

MotoGP has organized a substitute event, the Solidarity GP, scheduled for this weekend in Barcelona. However, there has been no confirmation on whether the test will proceed as originally planned.

Although Dorna Sports anticipated that the official test organized by the International Race Teams’ Association (IRTA) would take place on Tuesday, November 19, it was still awaiting confirmation.

On Monday, just before the final event of the weekend, a representative from Dorna announced that the test will proceed as scheduled.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. local time and will continue until 5 p.m. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. GMT). Following the end of the session, a 15-minute practice start is planned.

Although the location has shifted, MotoGP intends to continue its customary end-of-season activities.

Although specifics are yet to be confirmed, MotoGP plans to hold its award ceremony on the Sunday following the season's last race, where the world champion's trophy will be presented to either Jorge Martin or Francesco Bagnaia.

During this award event, MotoGP will unveil its redesigned logo.

This year's test following the race will feature some noteworthy debuts for a few prominent figures, with Marc Marquez making headlines as he enters the factory Ducati team to try out the GP25, which he will be racing alongside Bagnaia in 2025.

Martin, who has a chance to secure the championship title this weekend with a 24-point lead over Bagnaia, is preparing to try out the factory Aprilia for the first time.

Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini are set to try out the KTM for the first time, and Marco Bezzecchi will test the Aprilia.

Jack Miller is set to rejoin the Pramac team, marking a new experience for both him and the team with Yamaha bikes. Meanwhile, there is uncertainty regarding his team-mate Miguel Oliveira's involvement, as he recently suffered a wrist fracture during an accident at the Indonesian Grand Prix.

Last weekend, the Portuguese motorcyclist got back to training on his bike and might be planning to return to racing in Barcelona for his last event with Trackhouse Aprilia.

Ai Ogura from Trackhouse Aprilia and Somkiat Chantra from LCR Honda are set to experience MotoGP bikes for the first time as they prepare for their debut seasons.

Fermin Aldeguer is scheduled to test the Gresini Ducati, but his involvement is in doubt as he is still healing from a wrist fracture sustained during the Thai Grand Prix.

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Which races have stood out as the top performances for the 2024 MotoGP title contenders?

In the newest episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the team sets the stage for the championship showdown.

The title for the 2024 MotoGP World Championship is set to be determined this weekend at the Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona, with competitors Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia vying for victory.

Following 19 rounds of the 2024 racing season, Martin holds a 24-point advantage. With 37 points still available, the season's final event, now taking place in Barcelona, was rescheduled after the cancellation of the Valencia race due to severe flooding in that area.

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In 2024, Bagnaia has claimed victory in 10 grand prix races, whereas Martin has only secured three wins. However, Martin's unyielding consistency and the reigning champion's eight race retirements have brought us to this decisive moment.

In the most recent episode of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, the hosts talk about which races they believe were the standout performances for both Martin and Bagnaia this year.

Jordan Moreland, who manages social media for Crash and hosts a podcast, starts by saying, "In my opinion, when it comes to Bagnaia's victories, two stand out in my mind."

In Buriram, despite the immense pressure he faced, he managed to succeed. However, my thoughts also drift back to the beginning of the year and that memorable race against Marc Marquez in Jerez.

"It seemed like a reminder to those who believed Bagnaia might be intimidated by Marquez. Instead, he demonstrated that he was ready to compete aggressively against him. Reflecting on the events in Portimao, it was a fantastic contest between the two racers."

In summary, I predict that Jerez will be the choice for Bagnaia. As for Jorge Martin, although he has secured just three grand prix victories, he has clearly achieved numerous wins in sprint races. There are two more wins to consider.

"At Misano, his initial sprint victory was marked by an incredible start, allowing him to maintain control throughout the race."

"This was a great indicator that during the latter half of the year, he has outpaced Bagnaia, which confirmed it for me."

"However, the race in Le Mans was particularly significant for him, as it was the one that stirred the most emotions. He managed to fend off challenges from Bagnaia and Marquez, making it one of the most memorable races of the year."

Veteran reporter Lewis Duncan from Crash comments: "I'm sure some will say I'm being influenced by recent events, a phrase I strongly dislike because our assessments are often shaped by the most current happenings."

"For Martin and myself, the victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix stands out. He experienced a crash during the sprint that left him puzzled, and it happened on a circuit where his championship bid fell apart just a year prior."

He admitted that he was very concerned, haunted by numerous fears and the anxiety of potentially crashing again, but he managed to overcome those challenges.

"Pecco faced significant challenges, but he managed to take advantage of the difficult circumstances during the sprint. Should he go on to secure the championship title, this moment will likely be remembered as concrete evidence of his strong mental fortitude."

"In my opinion, for Pecco, the significant moment was at Sepang, where he had to fiercely compete following his crash during the sprint race."

In the past three seasons, we hadn't witnessed Pecco in a situation where he was truly cornered, but when that moment finally arrived, he responded with impressive vigor.

"He matched what was thrown at him and then quickly disappeared into the horizon."

Crash MotoGP Editor Peter McLaren expresses his thoughts, stating: "In my opinion, for Pecco, the Malaysian race merges the intense competition seen at Jerez with the high-stakes atmosphere of Buriram – it's a must-win situation."

"Just the day before, Marc Marquez was expressing his belief that 'Pecco needs to win tomorrow.' Sure enough, Pecco went on to triumph in the rainy race at Buriram."

"Malaysia was like a mix of both scenarios where there was a fierce struggle right from the beginning. He needed to secure the victory, and he managed to accomplish that."

"Martin hasn't won many grand prix races, but for me, Indonesia was significant because it was the reaction."

"It was an unexpected error, but we quickly addressed it to prevent it from turning into a significant issue, similar to the loss of points we experienced in Indonesia the year before."

"It was crucial for him to assert his dominance in that competition."

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Jorge Lorenzo: Ducati Never Offered Me €1 Million Despite Contracts Being Valued at €12 Million

Jorge Lorenzo refutes the assertion that his financial deal with Ducati was extraordinarily large.

Jorge Lorenzo has shared details about his contract negotiations with Ducati and has refuted rumors regarding his substantial pay.

Lorenzo, along with former champion Valentino Rossi, were notable MotoGP riders that Ducati relied on to break their extended streak without a victory.

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However, both of these wagers notoriously did not succeed, and Lorenzo has explained how he left Ducati following two lackluster years.

According to a report by AS, Ducati ran out of patience after experiencing a year and a half without achieving any results.

"They lost their trust in me. They didn't even propose a contract worth a million euros, while others at that time were getting deals for 12 million."

"They had a preference for a rider such as Danilo Petrucci."

"I didn't receive any offers at all."

Facing uncertainty about his career, Lorenzo quickly decided to join Honda for the 2019 season.

However, that year turned out to be his most challenging in MotoGP, leading Lorenzo to retire after just a single season with Honda.

Lorenzo refutes the notion of a lucrative contract with Ducati. During his time with Yamaha, Lorenzo achieved significant success, securing two MotoGP titles, a feat he could not repeat in later years.

Following a tense competition with his teammate Rossi, Lorenzo decided to leave Yamaha after securing third place in 2017.

"I wasn't very eager," he mentioned.

"They intensified their efforts, and it was especially apparent in Valencia, more so for Valentino than for myself."

Lorenzo decided to join Ducati because of Gigi Dall’Igna.

Lorenzo joined before Dall’Igna’s Desmosedici initiative really began to succeed, but the manufacturer eventually achieved success in the following years.

Lorenzo expressed confidence that Gigi's persistence would lead to Ducati becoming the top motorcycle.

The situation was reminiscent of Lewis Hamilton's decision to move from McLaren to Mercedes. At the time, Mercedes hadn't achieved any victories, but there was an understanding that it would soon become the leading car in Formula 1.

"I experienced a similar instinct with Ducati."

Lorenzo refuted claims that his initial contract with Ducati was as exceptionally high as it has occasionally been portrayed.

He asserted that, in truth, it exceeded his Yamaha salary by 15%.

"The decision was not motivated by financial gain, despite what some people believe."

"The 15% didn't have a significant impact on my life; it was really about the drive."

"My experience with Ducati did not go as planned."

After a gap of four years since Lorenzo left the team, Ducati finally broke their 15-year dry spell without a MotoGP championship, a streak that dated back to Casey Stoner's victory in 2007.

Pecco Bagnaia secured the championship for the Italian brand, and two years on, the Ducati continues to be the top-performing motorcycle in MotoGP.

For ten years, James worked as a sports journalist at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of events, including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Title: Could Andrea Iannone Have Ever Been a MotoGP Champion? Critics Weigh In

Discussion reignites over Andrea Iannone’s initial stint in MotoGP.

It has been suggested that Andrea Iannone was unlikely to secure a MotoGP championship even before the suspension that apparently concluded his career.

Andrea Iannone's MotoGP career was abruptly halted in 2019 due to a four-year suspension for doping. However, he briefly returned to the sport during the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend.

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His short comeback sparked a discussion about whether his skills would have been enough to secure a MotoGP championship, if he hadn't been suspended.

"He has consistently shown great skill," remarked Michael Laverty from TNT Sports.

"Undeniably, he was among the quickest riders in MotoGP during his prime. It's nice to have him return, although I understand that some people disagree because he neither showed remorse nor acknowledged any wrongdoing."

"I sympathize with him somewhat, as his career was essentially derailed."

Neil Hodgson commented: "Opinions about Iannone are divided among those in the paddock. The debate isn't concerning his suspension, but rather his overall character."

"He tends to be quite divisive among people here: some are big fans, while others remain uncertain about him."

"I have collaborated with him, and he was a difficult person to interview due to his unpredictable moods. He didn't match the image one might expect. Additionally, I witnessed him being rather disrespectful to fans, which I found hard to handle."

"I’ve interacted with him on various occasions throughout the years. However, I've been informed that during his second stint in World Superbikes, he appears to be a changed person."

"More humble and appreciating his second opportunity."

There are claims that he could have become a MotoGP champion, but in 2019, his performance was declining, and he ended up in 16th place.

"He was beyond his prime. His career was remarkable, and he might have continued competing in MotoGP for a few more years. However, it's unrealistic to believe that the ban stopped him from becoming a MotoGP champion, as that was unlikely to occur anyway."

Andrea Iannone's MotoGP career, which spanned seven years, reached its highest point in 2015 when he secured a fifth-place finish while riding for Ducati

Last weekend at Sepang, he concluded the race in 17th place and later expressed his amazement at how the physical demands of riding a MotoGP bike have evolved since 2019.

In his first year competing in the World Superbike Championship, Iannone secured a seventh-place finish and is set to make a comeback in 2025 as part of the Go Eleven Ducati team.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he wrote about a wide range of events including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Could Marc Marquez potentially influence the outcome of the MotoGP championship battle? Might he play a role in the competition between Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin?

Marc Marquez has been a significant influence in determining the MotoGP championship outcome between two competitors in previous seasons.

When asked about the outcome of this year's championship, he uneasily recalled his infamous role in the 2015 incident between Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.

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Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin are set to compete for the championship title in the final event next weekend.

However, it has been reported that Marquez will hold back from getting involved.

According to Michael Laverty from TNT Sports, all the criteria have been met. He noted that the individual in question has developed a more mature mindset and would not get involved in the competition between Jorge and Pecco.

"He may pass others, but he does so only when it's safe. Despite his reputation as a formidable opponent, I believe he tends to be cautious."

"Undoubtedly, he will influence the result by either earning points or creating challenges for them."

Neil Hodgson commented, "Marc will avoid making any rash decisions."

"Does securing third place in the championship matter to him? Achieving a victory holds greater significance."

The additional complexity lies in the situation Marquez will be facing in 2025.

Next season, he will ride for Ducati as a factory team member, joining forces with Bagnaia, who could either be a three-time champion or a former champion struggling to regain his title.

The way the Italian manufacturer expects Marquez to conduct himself could also play a role in the upcoming week.

Marquez's aspirations for this year's championship have ended, but he aims to achieve victory with MotoGP's top-performing equipment in 2025.

Martin leads Bagnaia by 24 points, with only a sprint race and a grand prix left in the competition.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of events, including American sports, soccer, and Formula One racing.

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