Jorge Lorenzo has finished its red period. A ride at Ducati that feels like a roller coaster. He scraped the shallows as much as he touched the stars. Even if three victories have come to enhance a two-year record which cannot therefore be negative, a taste of unfinished business will remain between the parties involved. Por Fuera now heads towards Honda. But he admits it: one more year on the Desmosedici, and he could have joined Casey Stoner on the brand’s list…
Unfortunately, the story ended a bit on a fishtail. The fall of Aragon started a bad series since the accident at Buriram followed. A fact due to a technical problem. Then the Motegi package followed like that of Sepang. HAS Valencia, the conditions did not reassure a pilot who was still recovering and whose other priorities had already been defined. It is therefore a twelfth place which will be the Majorcan's last ranking with the Italians.
But this 2018 season will remain fond memories: “ the first victory at Mugello was special, like in Italy with an Italian bike. I just missed being Italian, but at least I was Latin" , said Lorenzo. " It was very special because it happened after a year and a half of difficulties. In the next race, we did it again in Montmelo. Then I finished second in Brno and first in Austria fighting with Marc. For two months we were the best and I felt like the king of the world ».
📝 @ lorenzo99's farewell letter to @DucatiMotor
The Spaniard shares his thoughts about his two seasons in the team.#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/A5c8TOg583
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 18, 2018
The fall was harder, literally and figuratively: “ only bad luck prevented us from having more podiums and victories. It's a shame but it can happen in MotoGP because it's a risky sport. I've had perfect years and very difficult years like this, but at least we showed that I can handle this bike and ride it at the highest level. As I said before, we have made the GP18 the most complete machine and we can be very proud of what we have done. ».
With Andrea Dovizioso winner in Valencia, 2018 marks the team's most successful season in terms of wins and championship position since the 2007 campaign which ended with them winning the Casey Stoner. “ We can be sad because the real challenge, the important challenge, was to try to win the championship like Casey did in 2007. And it didn't happen. ", did he declare. " I think we had the potential to do it.” He concludes: “If we had had more time together, we could have succeeded. I'm sure if I had stayed with the team I would have been competitive from the first race. Not like this year. But it won't be possible ».
