Ex-Teammates Lorenzo and Rossi Talk Ducati

Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi may be well known for being World Champions of the highly prestigious MotoGP races, but they were once also known for their famous feud in the past during their time at Yamaha.

But that was in the past. Now, the former teammates appear to have a more cordial relationship, as shown in their short conversation about Ducati.

Photo Credits: MotorSport

 

Following Lorenzo’s second Desmosedici triumph at Barcelona, he and Rossi, who also finished on the podium, were inquired on whether the Italian would also have won races on the current Ducati bike.

For some context, Rossi had a Ducati stint from 2011 to 2012, and had emerged without a single win. It looked to be the same dismal fate for Lorenzo who left Yamaha for Ducati in 2017, as he had initially struggled to get used to the Desmosedici bike.

 

Even so, Lorenzo managed to pull of an impressive 180, having already won two MotoGP races in a row so far and with high hopes of continuing the victory streak.

The media was thus curious to know if Rossi might have won on the current Ducati bike had he raced with it, since Lorenzo managed to and the both of them were evidently not lacking in their racing skills.

 

“I don’t know, it’s a difficult question,” Rossi had said in reply. “I think nobody know and we will never know. The question will remain open.”

However, Lorenzo was more positive and assured with his answer. “I think Vale’s Ducati was more complicated. From the outside I believe that.
Now for me is the more complete Ducati than ever. Vale is a great rider, so why not?”

Photo Credits: MotorSport

 

Lorenzo’s praise for Rossi may have come as a surprise, for they once openly feuded while racing for Yamaha. But this follows a string of other recent conversations and interactions they shared that may suggest a more friendly relationship between the duo.

When asked whether Lorenzo and Rossi were friends now, however, the Spaniard said: “I don’t think we are friends, even if I think outside of the track we will have fun, because we like to have fun outside the Grand Prix.”

 

“It is difficult to be friends with a rival. A rival, two strong characters, two riders that want to win.

“But you know, the most important thing is to have respect, and I have huge respect for Vale, and I think he has the same to me. We are great champions, we are one of the best in history.”

According to MotorSport, Rossi also expressed a similar sentiment.

“We had difficult times, but also good times. A little bit of up and down, one or two [conflicts] quite deep,” the Italian racer said.

“But it's like this, difficult when you fight for the same results and Jorge is also one of my strongest and toughest rivals in my career.

“We stay long time together in the same team, which means it was also more difficult. The important is the respect, for sure.”

What do you think of this budding possible-friendship between the two world champions?