Like Marc Marquez and Maverick Vinales, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo climbed the Grand Prix steps in parallel.
In 125cc in 2003 (Stoner advantage) and 2004 (Lorenzo advantage), in 250cc in 2005 (Stoner advantage), then in MotoGP from 2008 to 2012 (Stoner, Lorenzo, Lorenzo, Stoner, Lorenzo advantages). The two men knew each other well before meeting this year at Ducati.
But perhaps they didn't really know each other perfectly, since, as Casey Stoner states on the site MotoGP.com, the Australian driver seems to have discovered a new Jorge Lorenzo…
“Jorge has learned a lot over the years. At first, I didn't really like his character or the way he competed against us. But there has been a turning point in recent years and it has completely changed. The respect he has for all the other drivers has completely changed as well as my respect for him. Since then, I have had nothing but deep respect for him; whether he wins or not, Jorge is a Champion. »
