De Jesus Sanchez Santos / Motosan.es
Almost two months have passed since Jorge Lorenzo announced his retirement and we were able to interview him exclusively for Motosan, to see how a winter is going where he is still a protagonist in MotoGP.
Lorenzo is one of those riders who have left their mark on the history of the premier category of motorcycling. Three MotoGP titles, five World Championships in total and a style with which he left his mark. Jorge as a person is very different in private, compared to this public image that many people had when he arrived in the World Championship.
His personal growth has been great over the years. When you manage to overcome this first barrier and gain his trust, you feel like he knows you and cares about you. Let's not lose hope of seeing him again as a test rider in MotoGP, because he really enjoys it, as long as it allows him to combine it with his new life.
First of all Jorge… How are you physically? Since your accident at Aragón 2018, you have suffered numerous injuries which have prevented you from performing at your true level.
" I am very well thank you. The truth is that the last year and a half has arguably been the worst of my career in terms of injuries, and it has affected my performance on the track immensely. Fortunately, I am now 100%. In fact, at the gym, I'm lifting more weight than ever, now that I can afford to put on muscle mass. »
On the other hand, after the pressure and stress that you have suffered in recent months, the smile returned to your face after the Valencia Grand Prix and the opportunity to celebrate the triple crown with your team. What feeling did this goodbye leave you with?
" It was really beautiful. I must say that despite all the problems and bad results, the team always treated me with respect and offered me the greatest support until the end. Even though it was a lot less than we all would have liked, the fact that I was able to help them achieve the Triple Crown made me very happy. And then, throughout the weekend, I received a lot of love and affection from the whole paddock family. That’s when I realized how much they loved me and how much of a mark I left. »
During the Spanish Grand Prix, you will be named MotoGP Legend, alongside names such as Agostini, Doohan, Rainey… Did you dream of going this far?
“It makes me very happy. I must say that when I started in this world, what I aspired to was only to reach the world championship. For a Majorcan pilot, it was already a big step, because very few had reached it. Winning races, and then championships, was something that exceeded my expectations, and now being a MotoGP Legend is something even more difficult to achieve. This title means that, in addition to the championships and races I have won, I have left a mark on people and on the history of this sport. »
What advice could you give to these young people who wholeheartedly want to achieve something?
“That it’s not enough to do things by halves. You must put all your effort and energy into this task. At the end of the day, you have to focus on that and live for that. If someone put your head under water and you couldn't breathe, all you would want to do is breathe air. You have to want your goal as much as you want that oxygen, and only then will you have it. When I started competing in the World Championship at 15, I wished I could succeed with this strength, and finally I did. You can have it too if you want it with all your soul. »
Dani Pedrosa decided to retire but accepted KTM's offer as a test rider. Stoner was also in this role with Ducati and Honda. Yamaha, the brand with which you won three MotoGP titles, seems to have lost its importance since your departure at the end of 2016. If you were offered a position as a test rider, would you consider it?
“That’s one of the possibilities I have on the table. »
We do not know if in the future you will want to resume an activity other than that of a pilot. If so, what role would you be most interested in in the World Championship?
“Enjoying more free time was one of the reasons why I decided to retire. So, right now, I want to have a lot of time, to be able to do the things that I haven't been able to do for the last 18 years. If I'm offered a project that doesn't take too long and I'm enthusiastic, I'll consider it. »
Who was the most difficult opponent you faced in your sporting career?
“There have been many. When I started in CEV and in the European Championship, I met Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa, riders who I then faced in the three categories of the World Championship, fighting for many races and securities. Then, especially in MotoGP, I would say the hardest to beat were Rossi, Stoner and Marquez, each with a unique talent. »
You are the only rider to have become MotoGP World Champion despite Marc Márquez on the track. Do you think your 2019 teammate can beat Rossi and Agostini's records?
“Everything in life can take a 180-degree turn, but it's clear that if he continues with this ambition and motivation to continue working so hard, he could make it happen. Marc is a unique driver, with very different characteristics from other champions. He has many qualities but also, like everyone, some faults. »
« À mon avis, l’une de ses plus grandes vertus est son ambition
de toujours vouloir gagner, en toutes circonstances. Pour montrer
aux autres pilotes qu’il est toujours le plus fort. C’est une
qualité qui le rend unique, mais cela peut aussi devenir une
faiblesse si vous ne contrôlez pas ou si vous perdez votre chance,
car dans un sport à risques, prendre autant de risques vous fait
acheter plus de “billets” qui peuvent vous causer une blessure
importante. Heureusement pour lui, je pense qu’il corrige cela
progressivement. »
“If he can control this ambition in the next few years he will have a lot to gain, because as a sportsman he is truly a beast in many ways. Additionally, and without taking away from Agostini's incredible numbers, it was allowed in his day (and it was feasible) to race and win in several categories at the same time on the same day. The championships were not as mechanically balanced and the number of participating drivers was not very high on several occasions. In my opinion, if Marc could match him, he would have much more merit, although it would have to be done..."
What has changed from the Jorge Lorenzo who made his World Championship debut at 15, to the five-time champion who recently decided it was time to call it quits?
“As I told you in a previous question, if you want to continue winning in this very competitive world, you have to live with it and for it, day after day, week after week. I've been doing this for 18 years and I guess there comes a time, especially if you've achieved all your goals, where your priorities change. »
“It becomes very difficult to continue to find the motivation to devote so much time and energy to something that you have already done for so long. I've always said life is short and it's all about motorcycles. I now have the opportunity to enjoy everything I have achieved without having to worry about whether I will be up to it for the next race or which tires are the right ones to try to get the best time. »
Read the original article on Motosan.es
