“Rossi and I love each other when we’re far apart - he jokes - when we’re together, things change. I think it’s normal, as when we were in Yamaha together we both wanted to fight for the win and so the rivalry between us was only natural”. - Jorge Lorenzo,November 14th 2019-
I didn’t expect anything from the last motogp race this 2019 season other than Vale getting on podium. Just wanted to enjoy the last race of the season as much as we can. I think that’s what the fans and everyone in the paddock would like to do. But, this race weekend turn out differently for motogp. There was unexpectedly news from five time world champion, Jorge Lorenzo. He decided to retiring at the end of the season as professional racer.
It all begin with an update from Motogp that there will be another press conference from Jorge and accompanied by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta held before the regular press conference. It quite shocking me up and the rest of motogp fan and journalists as there were many news and speculations on social media. I feel so emotional knowing that the news might be an announcement of Jorge’s retirement and still had positive assumption that it might be a corner named after him, which then i realize he already had it in Jerez.
Then the retirement assumptions become reality. It quite made me emotional even clearly i’m not his fan but really respect him as one of Vale’s greatest rivals and maybe best teammate which make Yamaha having their golden moments back then when they were together as Jorge and Vale push each other so Yamaha was become the best team for several years. Well, riders will be retired including Jorge and Vale definitely, but i really didn’t expect that Jorge will did it this early. That’s what i felt too, back when Dani Pedrosa retired last year, but i expect Jorge for more years because yeah he’s a strong rider, tough competitor and make motogp races more fun because of iconic battles with other riders, including Vale.
Catalunya battle in 2009 with Vale was my favorite all the time, even Vale agree with that saying it his best memories with Jorge. Other than he’s a strong rider, i think everyone still curious about his battle with Marc using Honda engine as that what we all expect for this 2019 season. Also, his improvement on his second year with Ducati at the last part of the season is something that give us and well myself that he could be competitive too on his second year with Honda. Its a bit sad, because he ended his motogp career with quite bad condition, but I respect his decision and well he got five world titles, and he had big achievements which only few riders now on the grid have done it. For Jorge’s fan, i fell for you guys and maybe few years later i’ll feel the same thing.