MotoGP News
Date: 12/June/2012
A major piece in the 2013 rider puzzle has fallen into place with the surprise early signing of MotoGP man-of the-moment Jorge Lorenzo to remain at Yamaha.
The 2010 world champion and this year’s title leader has agreed a new two-year deal with the only factory he has raced for since joining the premier-class in 2008.
Lorenzo said: “I am extremely happy to have signed with Yamaha for two more years. They’ve made great efforts to retain me in the factory team so I want to thank all those involved at Yamaha for this.
“I’ve been treated like part of the Yamaha family since 2008 and I love working with them. It has always been my first option to stay here and so I’m happy that this important negotiation has finished with such a positive outcome.
“Now I can focus on the Championship and I’m looking forward to paying back Yamaha’s trust in me starting at Silverstone this weekend. I look forward to winning many more Championships together; my dream to finish my career with Yamaha is now closer to becoming a reality!”
With Honda’s double champion Casey Stoner set to retire at the end of this season, speculation had been rife that HRC would try and poach Lorenzo to take the Australian’s place.
“This is excellent news for Yamaha and for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team. Jorge has been with us since 2008 and achieved superb results in the first four years, the highlight being his World Championship victory in 2010,” said Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis.
“He's currently on top form having won three of the first five GP races and finishing second in the other two. Jorge's contract extension allows both him and Yamaha to concentrate 100% on this year's Championship challenge without any distractions and also to make future plans together to further strengthen the winning partnership.”
Lorenzo and Stoner are the only riders to win a race so far this year. Lorenzo starts this weekend’s British MotoGP with a 20-point lead over Stoner.
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