The Ducati MotoGP Team who will tackle the 2017 series has been unveiled at the company’s Borgo Panigale headquarters, with new signing Jorge Lorenzo finally able to chat about his switch to the red bike after a career on Yamaha machinery.
Lorenzo joined long-time rival and new teammate Andrea Dovizioso on stage, hinting his only motivation will be to clinch a fourth MotoGP World Championship crown and join the select group of riders—Geoff Duke, Giacomo Agostini, Eddie Lawson, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner—as winners of the grand prize on two different makes of machinery.
“I have to say that I’m more nervous now than in races! It’s a very special day for me,” Lorenzo said. “Yesterday was a great day because I really didn’t expect all the love the people here have shown me; the fans, Ducatisti and the employees. Some people have said ‘welcome to the family’ – I think that’s something you can only feel in this team.
“I have been with the same bike and team for many years so Valencia was a big shock but it was a big, positive change. The ride-ability is incredible, and it’s so powerful. It’s so easy to keep control. On the straights and in the corners. An incredible surprise.
“When you’ve been lucky enough to be World Champion, the only thing you want is to repeat that. If we are strong in general, I think we’ll be able to get onto the podium. I’m so proud I now belong to this family. I want to thank all of you, not just for what you’ve shown me yesterday…also everything you’re writing on social media, for example. It gives me so much energy to try and make this team stronger. As a racer and rider I’m sure there will be incredible emotion still to come.”
Dovizioso will enter into his fifth season as a factory Ducati rider, finally clinching his second MotoGP victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix last year.
“Last year the final part of the season ended very well. Lots of energy and passion and we got the win in Sepang,” Dovizioso said. “That’s very encouraging and it helps us start the season in the right way. It’s my tenth year in MotoGP and fifth with Ducati, so it is a special year. We had some difficulties in the earlier years but that’s what we needed to get back here. The new bike? We tested first in Valencia and there will be more updates in Sepang, and we’ll see how competitive we are. I’m so happy to share the team with Jorge, and to work together with him.”
