Chico Lorenzo sheds light on the complex dynamics with his son, Jorge Lorenzo

Chico Lorenzo has openly discussed the current state of his relationship with his son.

Jorge Lorenzo has candidly shared the challenges he faces in his relationship with his dad.

The triple MotoGP champion acquired his skills at his dad's motorbike racing academy in Majorca.

However, even though the young man evolved into a victor, it negatively affected his personal connection with his father.

However, Chico has provided a glimmer of optimism for improved times ahead.

Moto.it inquired whether their relationship is currently 'excellent'.

"Indeed, it's not excellent, yet it's satisfactory," he replied.

During his visit to the EICMA fair in Milan, I accompanied him, and also in Lugano.

"He's spending the holiday season in Majorca."

Chico was questioned about the moment he recognized his son's talent for the first time.

During my childhood, I constructed my initial motorcycle at the time when Jorge had reached the age of three, showcasing impressive abilities even then.

"Indeed, his ambition was always to emerge victorious."

Throughout his career, he has consistently maintained a high level of professionalism at all times.

"From a young age, he was ready, demonstrating a level of expertise significantly above his peers."

Chico expresses his feelings towards his son's outstanding career success with the words, "it's satisfaction, satisfaction".

He identified his most cherished victory from his son's Grand Prix races.

"For me, the initial victory in Brazil back in 2003 was a significant milestone. Following that, my first win with Ducati at Mugello marked another important point in my career."

In 2003, Jorge Lorenzo secured his inaugural victory at the Rio de Janeiro grand prix in the 125cc category.

However, the championship moment his father cherished the most was the most infamous.

In 2015, Lorenzo triumphed over Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez, clinching the premier award.

"Throughout the entire year, I stood by his side, witnessing firsthand the immense effort he put into clinching that fiercely contested world championship," Chico stated.

"He experienced an incredible year."

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Motorsport Icons Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi Come Together on the Track in Italy

Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi, both icons in motorsport, competed on the same race track.

Isle of Man TT record-holder Dunlop is participating in Rossi's yearly 100km of Champions event in Tavullia this weekend.

Participants from different racing championships attend Rossi's annual event, but the presence of TT icon Dunlop, along with Davey Todd, brings an additional level of prestige.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop spotted together at the ranch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop seen at the ranch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3

On Thursday, Dunlop and Rossi participated in free practice on the track. Although their career journeys have been vastly different, this wasn't their initial encounter racing closely against each other.

During the previous summer, Monster Energy organized a unique track day at Silverstone, bringing together Dunlop and Rossi.

On that same day, John McGuinness achieved his record fastest lap at Silverstone. He remarked, "This small guy from Italy zoomed by me on the back straight…"

Someone named Valentino Rossi caught my attention, and I thought, "He's quite quick; I'll follow him closely."

He took me around Silverstone for the quickest lap I've ever completed.

"I clamped down on the screen, making every effort to hold on tightly!"

"I found it more intriguing to observe him. He is the finest globally."

In 2009, Rossi made a notable trip to the Isle of Man TT and completed several practice circuits.

Following the event, he remarked, "The track is amazing and left a strong impression on me, as I'm aware it's both risky and quick."

"I would never have imagined that a road like this could be used as a racetrack, and it's incredible to be riding a Superbike at full speed on it. You need to have a lot of courage!"

"It's not feasible to go all out on the first lap. I aim to complete five or six laps to gain a better understanding."

This weekend in Tavullia is much more relaxed, as the stars of the Isle of Man TT are returning the favor by visiting.

Dunlop and Todd are set to compete with Rossi and fellow MotoGP competitors such as Pecco Bagnaia, Luca Marini, and Marco Bezzecchi on both Friday and Saturday.

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KTM stands firm in its decision to initiate the construction of their 2025 MotoGP motorcycles next week, despite facing financial challenges.

KTM's head of technology, Wolfgang Felber, stated that preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season are proceeding as planned for KTM.

The future of the Austrian company in MotoGP hangs in the balance as it deals with a financial turmoil, prompting a reorganization of its operations.

According to information disclosed during the initial meeting with creditors, KTM has intentions to exit Formula 1 racing. However, it's expected that their operations will continue without change until 2025.

KTM's competition department is implementing a strategy that involves a 100-point plan aimed at reducing expenses due to the company's ongoing financial difficulties. This includes decreasing its participation in multiple racing categories.

In 2025, four factory KTMs will compete in MotoGP, distributed between its official team and Tech3, with riders Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini.

In a discussion with the German magazine Speedweek, Felber shared encouraging updates regarding KTM's progress for 2025.

"He mentioned that the plans for the upcoming season are proceeding as usual at this point."

"Over the past few years, we've streamlined our operations to ensure that the construction of new machines commences during the third week of the year."

"In 2025, the scenario remains unchanged. Starting next Monday, the process of reconstructing every motorcycle will commence."

"All activities are scheduled in a way that by the conclusion of the third week, we prepare the boxes for the major trial in Sepang.

"From that point forward, the motorcycles spend an extended period on the road. They will not return to Munderfing until the European season begins with the opener in Jerez."

Speculation is rife that KTM may halt progress on its 2025 motorcycle model because of its current economic difficulties.

Felber refrains from outright acknowledgment but mentions that the 2025 prototype performed as anticipated during last year's trials and has been established as the foundational bike.

"He further elaborated that the discussion revolves around a model of evolution projected for the year 2025."

"Considering an entirely new strategy was not an option. Our real trial run occurred during the final evaluations in 2024."

The 2025 iteration functioned as anticipated and established a foundation. The current strategy involves constructing all devices using new components accordingly.

"Ergonomic features vary and are unique to each rider, as do the methods for controlling the rear brake."

"We are also capable of repurposing certain components that have minimal wear. It's illogical to discard a handlebar stub that has barely been used."

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Francesco Bagnaia proposes a change in MotoGP scoring: is it feasible?

The two-time MotoGP champion believes the competition should ponder over awarding additional points

Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati suggests that MotoGP consider revising the scoring system to incorporate bonus points within the existing sprint/grand prix structure.

Since the inception of the four-stroke era in MotoGP, the scoring structure has stayed consistent, allocating 25 points for a win in a grand prix and decreasing incrementally to award points down to the 15th place.

In 2023, the introduction of sprint races brought about an increase in the total points a driver could earn during a grand prix weekend, with up to 12 extra points available. A victory in these races awarded 12 points, followed by nine for the runner-up and seven for third place, decreasing down to one point for the ninth-place finisher.

Now that there are 37 points up for grabs each weekend, maintaining consistent performance has become increasingly crucial for a rider aiming to secure the championship title.

In 2024, Bagnaia claimed victory in 11 grand prix events, yet failing to score in eight races resulted in him trailing by 10 points behind Jorge Martin. Despite Martin, a Pramac team rider, securing victory in only three races on Sundays, his regular appearances on the podium in nearly every sprint were crucial for his success, missing the podium in just three instances.

"Adapting to the existing rules is essential, especially since the current system enabled me to contend for the championship until the final stages, despite experiencing eight failures," Bagnaia remarked during last year's Campioni in Pista event hosted by Ducati.

"Sprint races impact multiple aspects, adding an additional element. This has definitely altered the method of accumulating points over a weekend significantly."

"Adapting is key. However, with sprint races being introduced, there might be a thought to include additional rewards, maybe for securing victories in both events or achieving the quickest lap time."

In 2024, Bagnaia achieved a combination of sprint and grand prix victories on five occasions. If we consider an additional point for each of these achievements, this brings him an extra five points nearer to Martin in the overall championship race. Moreover, securing the quickest lap in six grand prix races contributes an additional six points to his score. Despite this, Martin securing two points for the fastest laps over the season or achieving just one combination of sprint and grand prix wins would still secure him the championship title.

Since 2019, Formula 1 introduced a system that awards points for the fastest laps, but it's only applicable to drivers who finish in the top 10. The rationale was to add an element of thrill and motivate those trailing to strive for an additional point, which could prove crucial.

However, it didn't quite achieve the intended impact, as the bonus frequently went to a driver who had such a significant lead or lag that they could comfortably pit for a new soft tire on the second-to-last lap and aim for the fastest lap.

This regulation will be abolished starting with the 2025 season.

In MotoGP, awarding a point for the fastest lap could function as Formula 1 initially intended. Due to the brevity of the races, the competitors are not as widely spaced out as they are in F1. Additionally, the competitive nature of the equipment across the field means that a larger number of riders could potentially earn a point, with the decision being based on sheer speed rather than the specifics of the race situation.

IS A MOTOGP REGULATION ADJUSTMENT FEASIBLE?

During the 2024 season, an impressive variety of eight riders each achieved the quickest lap time in a grand prix event. Pedro Acosta accomplished this twice; Bagnaia led the pack with six; Martin also did it twice; Enea Bastianini succeeded three times; Maverick Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, and Fabio Di Giannantonio each did it once; while Marc Marquez reached this milestone four times.

Although this change wouldn't have drastically changed the championship's final standings, it would have elevated Acosta to a tie for sixth place with his teammate Brad Binder, securing the spot over Binder due to having more podium finishes.

One could argue that the mere possibility of gaining an additional point entirely shifts the dynamics of a race. A competitor might be more inclined to get back into the race after a minor crash if they stand to earn two points for coming in 15th place, rather than a single point. Introducing a point for the fastest lap in sprints could also inject more thrill into the positions beyond the leading scorers.

Marc Marquez, who is set to join Bagnaia at Ducati, expressed a differing opinion, stating, "I'm content with the current setup. It's a well-balanced system that keeps the championship competitive right up to the final stages, so I have no complaints about it as it stands."

Marquez's observation is accurate. The existing structure has resulted in the championship being decided in the final stages for two consecutive years. However, MotoGP might consider taking inspiration from British Superbikes to creatively celebrate a rider achieving a weekend sweep.

In the past few years, the British Superbike Championship introduced a Spring Grand Slam competition that spanned two rounds, offering a £50,000 prize to any rider who managed to secure wins in all six races. Although replicating this exact model might be too ambitious for MotoGP, the series could consider experimenting with a comparable concept.

Should a racer manage to secure both a sprint and race victory, and also record the quickest lap in a grand prix, they stand to earn an extra three points, elevating their maximum points for the weekend to 40. However, if they fail to achieve this triple feat, they receive no bonus points.

This boosts the motivation for each session, as a rider facing off against their top competitor for the championship might exert extra effort to claim the fastest lap, thereby preventing their rival from securing an additional three vital points.

Traditionalists often resist such modifications, labeling them as synthetic and 'contrary to the essence of MotoGP'. However, the implementation of sprint races has effectively dispelled this idea, showing that significant alterations to the format can be integrated smoothly and become a natural element of the sport.

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Isle of Man TT celebrities received warmly in Tavullia for the start of Valentino Rossi's competition

Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions kicks off with open trials today

Cyclists have taken to the course at Valentino Rossi's farm for his yearly gathering.

Once more, the Doctor has summoned an impressive lineup of motorcycling's elite to Tavullia, featuring several newcomers.

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop were among the victors at the Isle of Man TT race, joining the familiar faces in Rossi's hometown.

Todd's online posts (mentioned below) expressed his amazement at receiving an invitation to Rossi's home.

The Champions' 100-kilometer event is set to kick off on Friday, January 10, and will extend through

On Thursday, cyclists reached the farm, and the initial bicycles embarked on a trial ride.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop together at the farm 🤝 See the picture here: pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

"Rossi announced on Thursday night, 'The initial day at the ranch has been completed.'"

"It was excellent. Every participant enjoyed themselves."

"We conducted complimentary test runs. All participants are prepared and quick."

This Friday evening, the yearly Americana race is scheduled to take place. Luca Marini emerged as the winner of this event last year.

This time, Marini and Rossi team up with regulars Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, and Franco Morbidelli.

Pedro Acosta continues to draw significant attention, and Ryan Vickers stands out as another prominent participant.

Complete roster of participants:

Valentino Rossi, Pedro Acosta, Dominique Aegerter, Xavier Artigas, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Elia Bartolini, Enea Bastianini, James Douglas Beach, Marco Belli, Matteo Bertelle, Marco Bezzecchi, Nicolo Bulega, Federico Caricasulo, Mattia Casadei, Thomas Chareyre, Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, Filippo Fuligini, Federico Fuligni, Matteo Gabarrini, Manu Gonzalez, Sammy Halbert, Lasse Kurvinen, Andrea Locatelli, Luca Lunetta, Andrea Mantovani, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Franco Morbidelli, Diogo Moreira, Stefano Nepa, Miguel Oliveira, Luca Ottaviani, Mattia Pasini, Matteo Patacca, Gautier Paulin, Tito Rabat, Jose Antonio Rueda, Alberto Surra, Tatsuki Suzuki, Tim Neave, Ryan Vickers.

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Isle of Man TT celebrities received a warm reception in Tavullia as Valentino Rossi's event kicks off

Practice sessions offered today prior to Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions

Motorcycles have already hit the course at Valentino Rossi's ranch for his yearly gathering.

Once more, the Doctor has gathered a distinguished group of motorcycle racing stars in Tavullia, featuring some fresh participants.

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop, who have both clinched victories in the Isle of Man TT races, were among the familiar faces gathering in Valentino Rossi's hometown.

Todd expressed his amazement on social media about receiving an invitation to Rossi's home.

The Champions' 100km event is set to kick off on Friday, January 10, and will extend into Saturday.

However, by Thursday, participants reached the ranch, and the initial group of motorcycles set off for a trial ride.

On Thursday evening, Rossi announced that they had completed their initial day at the ranch.

"The event was highly enjoyable, with all the drivers having a great time."

"We conducted complimentary tests. All participants are prepared and quick."

The yearly Americana race is set to take place on Friday evening. In the previous year's event, Luca Marini emerged as the winner.

On this occasion, Marini and Rossi are accompanied by the regulars, Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, and Franco Morbidelli.

Pedro Acosta continues to be a major draw, and Ryan Vickers is another significant participant.

Complete list of participants: Valentino Rossi, Pedro Acosta, Dominique Aegerter, Xavier Artigas, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Elia Bartolini, Enea Bastianini, James Douglas Beach, Marco Belli, Matteo Bertelle, Marco Bezzecchi, Nicolo Bulega, Federico Caricasulo, Mattia Casadei, Thomas Chareyre, Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, Filippo Fuligini, Federico Fuligni, Matteo Gabarrini, Manu Gonzalez, Sammy Halbert, Kurvinen Lasse, Andrea Locatelli, Luca Lunetta, Andrea Mantovani, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Franco Morbidelli, Diogo Moreira, Stefano Nepa, Miguel Oliveira, Luca Ottaviani, Mattia Pasini, Matteo Patacca, Gautier Paulin, Tito Rabat, Jose Antonio Rueda, Alberto Surra, Tatsuki Suzuki, Tim Neave, Ryan Vickers.

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Francesco Bagnaia proposes a change to MotoGP's points system: is it feasible?

The two-time MotoGP world champion believes the series should explore the idea of awarding bonus points.

Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati thinks that MotoGP should consider revising the points system to incorporate bonuses within the existing sprint and grand prix structure.

Since the beginning of the four-stroke era, MotoGP's scoring system has stayed unchanged. A win in a grand prix earns a rider 25 points, with points decreasing incrementally to 1 point for those finishing in the top 15 spots.

In 2023, the introduction of sprint races increased the total possible points a driver could earn during a grand prix weekend by 12. Winning the sprint race grants 12 points, finishing second earns nine points, and third place receives seven points, with the points decreasing incrementally down to one point for the ninth-place finisher.

As there are now 37 points up for grabs each weekend, maintaining a steady performance is more crucial than ever for a rider aiming to secure the championship title.

In 2024, Bagnaia secured victory in 11 grand prix races. However, he failed to score points in eight events, which ultimately led to a 10-point deficit behind Jorge Martin. Martin, racing for Pramac, only clinched three Sunday race wins. Nonetheless, his steady performance was crucial, as he managed to finish on the podium in all but three sprint races.

Bagnaia expressed that adapting to existing rules is necessary, especially since the current system enabled him to remain in contention for the championship until the final stages, despite having eight non-scoring races. These remarks were made at Ducati's Campioni in Pista event last year.

"Nonetheless, sprint races have an impact on various aspects, adding an extra dimension. They have definitely altered the method of earning points over the course of a weekend."

"You need to adapt to it. With sprint races now in play, they might want to think about adding some incentives, like rewards for winning both races or for achieving the fastest lap."

In the 2024 season, Bagnaia achieved five sprint and grand prix victories in the same weekend. If he earned an extra point for each of these feats, it would bring him five points nearer to Martin in the championship standings. Additionally, Bagnaia secured the fastest lap in six grand prix races, adding another six points to his score. Nonetheless, Martin would still clinch the championship, thanks to his two fastest lap points throughout the season or by achieving just one sprint and grand prix double.

Since 2019, Formula 1 has implemented a system where drivers can earn points for recording the fastest laps, but this is only applicable to those finishing within the top 10 positions. The purpose of this rule was to add an extra layer of excitement to the races and motivate drivers who are not leading to strive for an additional potentially crucial point.

However, it rarely produced the intended outcome, as the fastest lap point frequently went to a driver who had such a significant lead and buffer behind them. This allowed them to make a secure pit stop on the second-to-last lap for new soft tires and aim for the fastest lap.

This regulation will be eliminated for the 2025 season.

In the world of MotoGP, awarding a point for the fastest lap could function more similarly to how it was originally intended in Formula 1. Due to the shorter race durations in MotoGP, the gap between competitors isn't as wide as in F1. The competitive nature of the machinery in MotoGP ensures that more riders have an opportunity to earn a point based on sheer speed, rather than being influenced by the conditions of the race.

IS A MOTOGP RULE ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE?

In the 2024 season, eight distinct racers achieved the quickest lap times in various grand prix events. Pedro Acosta clocked the fastest lap twice, while Bagnaia accomplished it six times. Martin also achieved this feat twice, Enea Bastianini did it three times, and Maverick Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, and Fabio Di Giannantonio each did it once. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez recorded the fastest lap four times.

Although this wouldn't have drastically changed the championship result, it would have moved Acosta up to tie for sixth place in points with his teammate Brad Binder, with Acosta securing the spot due to having more podium finishes.

One could argue that the mere consideration of earning an additional point can significantly alter the dynamics of any racing scenario. Knowing they could earn two points for finishing in 15th place instead of just one, a racer is more inclined to continue competing after a minor crash. Introducing a point for the fastest lap in sprint races could also generate more interest beyond the usual top positions that score points.

Marc Marquez, who is set to join Ducati and will be partnering with Bagnaia, expressed a different opinion. He stated, "I'm content with the current system. It's well-balanced and keeps the championship competitive until the very end, so I'm satisfied with the way things are."

Marquez's remark holds some truth. The existing setup has led to the championship being decided in the final moments for the last couple of years. However, MotoGP might consider taking a cue from British Superbikes to add excitement by highlighting a rider who dominates all the races in a single weekend.

In the past few years, the BSB organized a Spring Grand Slam event that took place over two rounds, offering a prize of £50,000 to any rider who managed to win all six races. Although this concept might be a bit much for MotoGP, the series could consider experimenting with a comparable concept.

In the event that a rider achieves both a sprint and race victory along with recording the quickest lap in a grand prix, they have the opportunity to earn an extra three points, increasing their possible total for the weekend to 40 points. However, if they are unable to achieve all three, they will receive no additional points.

This increases the motivation for each session, as a competitor whose main rival in the championship is on the verge of completing a hat-trick might exert extra effort to achieve the fastest lap, thereby preventing the rival from securing three vital points.

Traditionalists often oppose any sort of modification, labeling it as unnatural and contrary to the essence of MotoGP. However, the addition of sprint races has largely debunked this belief, demonstrating that significant format changes can be implemented and swiftly become a regular aspect of the event.

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KTM, undeterred by financial challenges, is set to commence the construction of their 2025 MotoGP motorcycles. The company plans to kick off the production of these bikes next week.

KTM's head of technical operations, Wolfgang Felber, has stated that the preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season are proceeding as expected.

The Austrian company is dealing with an unclear future in MotoGP, as it works through a financial crisis that has led to a restructuring effort.

A report from the initial creditors' meeting indicated that KTM is "intending" to exit grand prix racing, but will continue participating in 2025 as usual.

KTM's racing department is implementing a comprehensive 100-step strategy aimed at reducing expenses due to the company's ongoing financial difficulties, which involves decreasing its participation in several racing categories.

In 2025, KTM plans to have four factory bikes competing in MotoGP. These will be divided between its official team and Tech3, with riders Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Maverick Vinales, and Enea Bastianini.

In a discussion with the German magazine Speedweek, Felber shared encouraging news about KTM's plans for 2025.

He mentioned that all preparations for the upcoming season are proceeding as usual.

"In the past few years, we have streamlined every procedure to ensure that we complete the construction of the new machines by the third week of the year."

"In 2025, the situation will remain unchanged. We will begin the process of reconstructing all the motorcycles starting next Monday."

"All activities are scheduled in such a way that by the conclusion of the third week, we prepare the boxes for the significant test in Sepang."

"After that point, the bikes will remain on the road for an extended period. They won't return to Munderfing until the European season kicks off in Jerez."

Speculation has emerged suggesting that KTM might halt the development of its 2025 motorcycle because of its current financial difficulties.

Although Felber does not explicitly acknowledge this, he mentions that the 2025 prototype "functioned as anticipated" during tests conducted last year and has been "established" as the foundational model for the bike.

He mentioned that what they're discussing is undeniably an evolutionary model for the year 2025.

Adopting a completely new strategy was not an option. We had already undergone our real trial phase in the tests conducted in 2024.

"The 2025 model functioned as expected, establishing a solid foundation. The current strategy involves constructing all machines using updated components."

"There are variations in the ergonomics tailored to each rider, along with distinct methods for controlling the rear brake."

"We can also utilize some of the current components that have minimal usage. Discarding a handlebar piece that's barely been used for a few kilometers seems impractical."

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Maverick Vinales advised Yamaha to leave the bike unchanged during his unsuccessful championship season. "I advised them not to make any adjustments to the bike," he stated.

Maverick Vinales has implied that he could have won the MotoGP world championship in 2017 while riding for Yamaha, had they not altered the 2016 M1 model he first tried out.

After spending slightly more than one season with Suzuki, Vinales committed to a two-year contract to become part of the factory Yamaha team for his third year in the top-tier racing category in 2017.

In 2016, Vinales led the pack in the Valencia test riding that year's M1. He then went on to secure victories in the opening two races of 2017 and clinched another win at the French Grand Prix following a duel with his teammate, Valentino Rossi.

After that moment, the Spanish rider had a 17-point lead in the rankings. However, Vinales did not secure another victory until the Australian Grand Prix in 2018, ultimately finishing third in the 2017 standings.

Vinales stayed with Yamaha until the middle of 2021, at which point his relationship with the company deteriorated beyond repair. As a result, he was swiftly dismissed after it was discovered that he had intentionally pushed the engine of his M1 beyond its limits during the Styrian Grand Prix.

In a DAZN documentary focused on him, Vinales expressed his belief that he had the potential to secure the championship with the M1 bike he tested at the close of 2016. He urged Yamaha to refrain from making any changes to it during the winter.

"When I started at Yamaha, I arrived with a lot of energy and enthusiasm," he mentioned.

"I came with a specific vision and goal, which was the sole request I made to Yamaha: 'I aim to become the world champion.'"

"I have no desire to change who I am; please don't pressure me to be different because I'm content with being myself and have no interest in anything else."

During the test session in Valencia, I immediately took a liking to the Yamaha. I requested that no modifications be made to it because I specifically wanted the same bike that Jorge Lorenzo had used.

"[I said to Yamaha] 'deliver this motorcycle to Qatar, and I'll secure the world championship with it. However, when I arrived at Sepang for the pre-season testing, I was left wondering, 'Where is that motorcycle?'"

"I claimed victory in the initial race, followed by another win in the next, and triumphed at Le Mans. It was among the most memorable days of my life, as I overcame my hero, Valentino Rossi, in a competition."

"However, Barcelona experienced a series of transformations that left me perplexed."

"I advised them against handling the bicycle."

In the closing rounds of 2021, Vinales became part of the Aprilia team and stayed with them through to the conclusion of 2024, during which he secured a victory in one grand prix.

In 2025, he will become a part of the KTM team, collaborating with the Tech3 group. Reflecting on this decision, he remarked, "I've realized there are two options: either you become the contender or you choose the alternative path."

"You have the choice to either join KTM or become part of Ducati."

"Winning at Ducati is a tough challenge. How can one surpass the performance of the factory team?"

"It's quite complex; although the bike is the same, the equipment isn't identical. Therefore, my only choice was to join KTM and become the competitor."

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Father of Jorge Lorenzo provides a fascinating update on their complicated relationship

Chico Lorenzo discusses his son, Jorge Lorenzo

Lorenzo Chico has addressed the current state of his relationship with his son.

Jorge Lorenzo has candidly discussed the challenges in his relationship with his father.

The MotoGP champion, who has won the title twice, gained his initial experience at his father's motorcycle racing school in Majorca.

However, even though the son became a champion, it negatively affected his personal relationship with his father.

However, Chico has provided a glimmer of optimism for improved times ahead.

Moto.it inquired whether their relationship is currently "very good."

"It's not great, but it's adequate," he replied.

"While he attended the EICMA exhibition in Milan, I accompanied him, including during his time in Lugano."

"This holiday season, he is spending time in Majorca."

Chico was questioned about the moment he first noticed his son's abilities.

When I was a child, I built my first motorbike at the age of three, and Jorge was already showing great skill.

"Absolutely, he was always eager to come out on top."

He has consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism, time and time again…

"From a young age, he was exceptionally well-prepared, exhibiting a level of professionalism that far surpassed his peers."

Chico expresses his feelings about his son's successful career by saying, "it's satisfaction, satisfaction."

He mentioned his son's grand prix victory as his personal favorite.

"The initial victory I had in Brazil back in 2003 was a significant milestone for me, and later achieving my first win with Ducati at Mugello was also memorable."

In 2003, Jorge Lorenzo secured his inaugural victory in the 125cc category at the Rio de Janeiro Grand Prix.

However, the memory of the championship that his father cherished the most was also the most infamous.

In 2015, Lorenzo claimed victory over Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez to win the top award.

Chico mentioned that he spent the entire year with him and witnessed firsthand the tremendous effort he put into securing victory in that intensely competitive world championship.

"He experienced an excellent year."

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he provided coverage on a variety of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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KTM's stock price rises in anticipation of new funding

Progressive moves toward ensuring KTM's sustainability

KTM's prospects of overcoming its financial difficulties have received a lift from a surge in optimism among potential investors regarding the brand's reorganization efforts.

The leading motorcycle producer in Europe, based in Austria, initiated a self-administration process just before Christmas 2024, aiming to avoid insolvency while grappling with confirmed debts amounting to €1.8 billion.

During the initial meeting with creditors on December 20th, there was an optimistic view regarding the company's future prospects. However, the report also mentioned a deliberate exit from MotoGP was on the agenda.

KTM has announced its commitment to remain in the racing scene until 2025, with an anticipated departure scheduled for 2026. However, it's important to note that these plans are subject to change at this moment.

Several actions have been implemented including a temporary halt in production, the dismissal of more than 700 workers, and the decision to sell its controlling interest in MV Agusta.

Based on information from GPOne, KTM is in search of a €540 million investment ahead of a crucial creditors' vote on its restructuring plan, scheduled for February 25.

Nonetheless, KTM is witnessing a resurgence of optimism as notable investors are starting to show interest, alongside a nearly 70 percent increase in its stock price over the previous month.

According to GPOne, existing stakeholders Bajaj Auto and CFMoto are considering boosting their investment in KTM in an effort to support the brand. Additionally, there is reported interest from FountainVest, a company based in Hong Kong.

Last month, Stefan Pierer, the CEO of KTM, announced his intention to personally finance the brand's restructuring efforts, which will involve the sale of several assets.

However, although the substantial influx of investment has offered a glimmer of hope for KTM, it may also result in Pierer relinquishing a portion of his control over the company he established.

KTM might also need to scale back on several of its additional ventures, including its bike division and the KTM XBow automobile operations.

KTM's racing team has been implementing a strategy based on a 100-point agenda to secure its future, and the head of motorsport, Pit Beirer, disclosed that substantive discussions were conducted with the team representing Lewis Hamilton regarding potential investment opportunities.

In MotoGP, KTM has reduced its participation by withdrawing the GASGAS and Husqvarna brands from the top-tier category, as well as from the Moto2 and Moto3 lineups.

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Jorge Martin expresses a somber outlook on defending his MotoGP championship in 2025, stating, "The challenge is immense."

Current MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin is setting his sights on the 2026 season as a more viable time for him to contend for the championship with Aprilia.

Following Ducati's reversal on advancing him to its top team in preference for Marc Marquez, Martin secured a two-year agreement with Aprilia.

Discover further: Indications of optimism following Jorge Martin's initial trial with the Aprilia

After securing the championship title with the Pramac team for Ducati last season, Martin will embark on his year of defending the title aboard an RS-GP, a bike that fell to third place in the constructors' standings in 2024.

Aprilia recognized that the feedback on the motorcycle from his initial test in Barcelona last November was surprisingly positive. However, Martin has sought to manage anticipations, suggesting it might be too soon to consider him a contender for the championship in 2025.

"Sticking with Ducati, my objective would have remained unchanged – to put in my utmost effort and strive for victory," he shared on the Tengo Un Plan podcast.

"Now, I'm clueless since I'm uncertain about the bike's features."

"The task ahead is daunting, as I transition to a bike barely making the top 10, moving away from one that was among the leading contenders."

"Starting in fifth position and then ending up either winning races or securing a second place would make me extremely proud. However, the key is to keep improving."

"Taking the Aprilia into contention for the championship will be a tough task, so the goal for the upcoming season is not quite that ambitious."

"The chance might arise possibly by 2026, but at the moment, all I can do is strive to perform at my peak."

Martin has become the inaugural world champion to switch manufacturing teams for their title defense since Valentino Rossi in 2004, who made a move from Honda to Yamaha.

Rossi continued his dominance throughout the 2004 season, securing his fourth premier class world championship title.

Aprilia is set to kick off its 2025 campaign on January 16 in Milan, amid widespread anticipation that Martin will announce his decision to race with the number one plate on his RS-GP this season.

Throughout the winter, he has frequently hinted at the possibility on his various social media platforms.

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