On Thursday at the 2019 Valencia GP, in a Press Conference alongside Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo confirmed he would be retiring from the sport after Sunday’s race.
“There are four significant days in the career of a rider. Your first race, your first win, your first Championship and the day you retire. I’m here to tell you this day has arrived for me. I want to announce this will be my last race in MotoGP,” began Lorenzo, in front of a packed media room to announce his retirement.
In his glistening career, Lorenzo claimed 69 pole positions, 68 wins, 152 podiums, and five World Champion titles, three of those in MotoGP™.
Throughout his 18-year career, there are tons of moments we’ll remember. But we picked out a few that stand out. His heroics at Assen in 2013, beating Marc Marquez at Mugello in 2016 by 0.019 and more.
Unsurprisingly and rightly so, riders – including some of his fiercest rivals – gave Lorenzo a fitting tribute. Former Team Managers, chief engineers and other paddock personnel joined in celebration of Lorenzo’s phenomenal career.
Now, a new chapter awaits. Reigning Moto2™ World Champion Alex Marquez picks up Lorenzo’s Repsol Honda seat for 2020, joining brother Marc Marquez. It’ll be a strange season without Lorenzo, but it looks set to be an unmissable one all the same.
#ThankYouJorge