Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi shared the Yamaha garage from 2008 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2016 - two periods that were characterised by an intense rivalry that has gone down in history.

Memories of 2008

As the Doctor begins his final race weekend on Italian soil, the former rider Lorenzo looks back at some of his memories with the Italian. “Rossi and I made up the strongest team from 2008 to 2010, no doubt. Yamaha were winning 70% of races, and we won three titles between us” the Majorcan tells Sky Sport MotoGP.

“Me and Valentino were like two roosters in the hen house, both with strong personalities, both wanting to win”. An intense rivalry, that Lorenzo recalls with pleasure. “There were some great moments, like Le Mans 2008. I finished second after injuring my ankles in China, Valentino won and Edwards finished third. That was the first Yamaha 1-2-3 of the modern era, we were so happy”.

The five-time champ has other memories of that same season, the first that they shared as team-mates: “When Vale won the championship at Motegi and Yamaha won the constructor’s title, we were celebrating on the bus to the airport, with music chosen by the driver. Good times”.

The tension of 2015

Good times that were then followed by more tense moments, like those of the 2015 season: “That year, Marc and Vale came into contact in Argentina and their relationship changed from then on. The Rio Hondo episode was the trigger and I benefited, winning the championship. Being friends is tough in certain situations - Rossi and I were very competitive, it was difficult to go out together and build a friendship. But there was a lot of respect, and we were friendlier the further apart we were. In fact, when we changed teams, our relationship improved”, concludes Lorenzo.

Translated by Heather Watson

MotoGP, Darryn Binder and Yamaha, together for (at least) a year