The Mugello track has always been one of Jorge Lorenzo’s favourites, with its long, fast turns that well suit the Majorcan’s riding style. And it was at the Tuscan track that Lorenzo scored one of his most important wins, powering the Ducati Desmosedici to victory in 2018.

In his latest YouTube video, Jorge talks about the days leading up to that GP and recalls the difficulties of that period which convinced him to sign with Honda for 2019.

"I was pessimistic"

“After the Le Mans weekend, I felt pessimistic. Suzuki had appeared interested in me but decided to go with youngster Joan Mir”, tells the five-time world champion.

“Everyone said Petrucci would take my place in Ducati and my only real option was the team Petronas Yamaha but, having been a factory Yamaha rider, I wasn’t keen on the idea of joining a satellite team, even though my manager was working hard to formulate a deal”.

Jorge recalls the dark days before he accepted the HRC offer: “On my day off after the French round, I invited my trainer Ivan Lopez to go shopping with me but that didn’t cheer me up. I was pessimistic, without a bike at 31, I felt a bit depressed. So I decided to go home and threw myself into bed, because sleeping’s the best way to forget everything”.

“Between Le Mans and Mugello, Dorna had organised a test at Montmelò. I was out training with my bicycle just before the test and received an unexpected call. It was Alberto Puig, who told me that there was a real chance I could join Honda for the 2019 season. He just needed to convince the Japanese, but the thing I thought would be the biggest obstacle, or rather Marquez vetoing the plan, wasn’t a problem at all because Marc had given my arrival the OK”.

Signing for Honda and winning the 2018 Italian GP

The contract was signed a few days later: “After the test, where I finished second, Puig called me back for a meeting outside Barcelona, and I was presented with an offer. I was surprised, because it was an attractive offer, more than I expected financially and considering the circumstances, though definitely less than what I’d been earning at Yamaha and Ducati. I talked with my manager Albert and a few days later we went to Alberto Puig’s house to sign the contract. I became a Honda rider for the next two seasons”.

And then came the Mugello win: "I immediately took the lead in the race and Marc Marquez crashed while lying second. I had to defend myself from Andrea Dovizioso’s advances, but he threw in the towel two thirds of the way through. When I crossed the line, it became one of the best days of my life”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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