In an interview, Jorge Lorenzo spoke candidly about the golden era of MotoGP, the era of the "Fantastic Five," when he shared the track with Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, and Marc Marquez. An exceptional generation, marked by fierce rivalries, but also a deep respect between champions.
The rivalry between Lorenzo et Rossi, both in the box Yamaha at the time, thus reached a level of intensity rarely seen.
« When we were pilots, the tension was total. It was a real chicken coop: two roosters in the same pen. We were both ultra-competitive, very proud, and convinced we were the best.. No one gave up. Same bike, same team... whoever beat the other was THE best. »
With time and the separation of careers, things calmed down.
« When he left for Ducati, and then I did, our relationship improved. The more the distance between us grew, the more mutual respect grew too.i. I wouldn't say we became friends, but we ended up respecting each other and having a cordial relationship. »
An anecdote proves it: “ he even invited me to his ranchThey lent me a motorbike, without any training… the track was tricky, but it was super fun »
Lorenzo then stood on motosan an unfiltered portrait of its main rivals:
Dani Pedrosa is thus associated with finesse in adversity
"His strong point was focusingHe had an incredible sensitivity to the motorcycle., especially in difficult conditions: light rain, low grip... he knew how to take advantage of it. And then, to do what he did with his size is just crazy. On the other hand, he was weaker when braking, physically, that played a role »
Jorge Lorenzo: “ What makes Marc Marquez strong is also his weak point »
Casey Stoner is instead raw instinct: " Casey, it was pure instinct. He immediately understood the limitations of the track. Even without much training, he could win. He read the track like no one else, especially when the conditions were uncertain. »
And then there is Marc Marquez, the intrepid prodigy:
« Marc is a natural talent, with exceptional reflexes and formidable physical conditionHe is particularly formidable on left turns. What makes him strong is also his weakness: he is fearless, even reckless at times. This audacity has cost him in the past. But if he remains intact, this 2025 championship is for him. You can almost already engrave your name on the cup. »
For Jorge Lorenzo, this period remains one of the most intense and exhilarating in MotoGP. If the rivalry with Rossi Although it sometimes turned into a Cold War, it never erased the respect between the champions. And today, with hindsight, it is the grandeur of these duels that remains.
