After the pre-event press conference in Austin, we try here to take stock of the rumor of Jorge Lorenzo's move to Ducati.
Facts:
Jorge Lorenzo did not provide any details on his future at a press conference: “I can't tell you anything more than what I told you in Argentina.
When my decision is made, in the future, you will all know it. »
Asked about the subject at the same conference, Valentino Rossi replied with his usual finesse: “you know, no one wants to talk about Lorenzo's future at Ducati, so me neither. »
The twist is amusing because under the guise of saying nothing, the Doctor already half-confirms the transfer. For a little, we had the right to a “no one wants to say that Lorenzo is going to Ducati, so neither do I”...
Once the English conference is over, the pilots get up and talk to journalists from their national press. This is never filmed.
GPone, which generally sends two or three journalists to each Grand Prix, then collected other comments from the Doctor: “Are you saying he signed?” It was a courageous choice. I wish him and Ducati good luck. Jorge is a strong driver who drives well. He will do it there too. »
Interpretation:
There, Valentino Rossi can only pretend to hear the news. At the heart of the affair from the start, or even partially its instigator according to some, the rider with nine world titles is kept perfectly informed in real time of the situation at Movistar Yamaha. If nothing was signed (or about to be signed), he wouldn't elaborate on the subject.
And yet ...
Facts:
GPone reports: “I don’t know if that’s the case,” jokes Valentino Rossi.
Number 46, after recalling his time with the reds, then wonders who will leave Ducati to give way to the Majorcan and who will replace Lorenzo at Yamaha: “I don’t know who will stay at Ducati. Who will come to Yamaha? Anyone would look good on me. Vinales is one of the strongest drivers, with great talent, we agree, (but) the same can be said of Iannone. »
Interpretation:
Once again, there would be no point in dwelling on the subject if the matter had not already been heard. In his response, Valentino Rossi therefore confirms without seeming to do so the departure of Lorenzo but also tries to make the arrival of Vinales uncertain.
Pulling the rug out from under Jorge Lorenzo is one thing that does not bother him, quite the contrary, but doing the same in relation to Lin Jarvis is another, which would be in very bad taste at a time when Valentino Rossi is weaving very close commercial ties with the Iwata firm. Hence the name Iannone to try to confuse the issue.
In fact, for several months, VR46 has continued to praise the Suzuki rider with a very specific objective, a rider who, for his part, now lives in Italy, where he meets a Motocross Champion and frequently trains on a certain dirt track in Tavullia…
When?
From the latest information we gathered yesterday from Texas, it appears that the most likely date for the announcement is now late next week/early Jerez week.
These interpretations are of course our own.
Photo credit: MotoGP.com, yesterday in Austin.
