MotoGP: Lorenzo confirmed as Pedrosa replacement

Repsol Honda have confirmed that Jorge Lorenzo will be joining them as Dani Pedrosa’s replacement for the 2019 and 2020 MotoGP seasons, with the five-time world champion set to become teammates to Marc Marquez.

The deal marks the third manufacturer that Lorenzo has been linked to in recent weeks, with talk first tying him to the factory Suzuki ride that seems to have gone to Joan Mir and then to a satellite Yamaha project sponsored by Malaysian oil giant Petronas.

The news comes despite taking his first win for Ducati last time out in Mugello, with the Spaniard unhappy with the way that the Desmosedici machine has been developed for him in recent months, confirming his departure after Sunday’s race.

“People should have believed in Jorge Lorenzo when the results weren’t so good, and believed in what I said I needed, but not enough people did. I don’t make excuses and I tell the truth, and when Ducati finally make the modification to the bike I could prove myself. I hope that from now on it means that people will believe more in what I say! One side of my heart is very happy with this victory and another is sad, because I believe that if I had this before I could say that I could continue with Ducati, but I can’t say that.”