Welcome Jorge Lorenzo to your deserved MotoGP hall of fame

On the sidelines of the Spanish GP at the renowned Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, where the last corner also bears his name, Dorna Sports (MotoGP commercial rights holder) CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta honoured three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo into the Moto Hall of Fame.

The Spaniard joins Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Kenny Roberts Jr, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Sur.

Lorenzo was honoured for a long and successful career in a special ceremony held on the grounds of the Spanish Grand Prix. Prior to the emergence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Lorenzo was slated to be admitted into the MotoGP Legends Hall of Fame, having won five FIM World Championships across all classes (three in MotoGP and two in 250cc).

Due to the bio-bubble restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to postpone the induction until a more traditional MotoGP Legend ceremony could be held, allowing the rider to celebrate the milestone in the company of family, friends, and paddock personnel, according to a Dorna Sports statement.

Lorenzo’s statistics speak for themselves: 18 seasons, three MotoGP World Championships, two 250cc World Championships, 68 victories, 152 podiums, 69 pole positions, and 37 fastest laps: that’s Lorenzo, one of the greatest greats of modern Grand Prix racing.

Only the legendary Valentino Rossi has won more MotoGP races with Yamaha than the 34-year-old (56). During a surprising revelation at the 2021 FIM MotoGP World Championship season-ending event in Valencia, Rossi was among the most recent riders to be admitted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame. “I travelled here 20 years ago to make my debut at this track, and I was still 14 on Friday.” So, using a scooter, I went to a couple bends and saw Cecchinello, Ueda, Vincent, Pedrosa, and Poggiali all riding. They were heroes to me. And I was impressed by how furiously and quickly they rode, and I wondered if I could ever reach that level.

“Now, Dorna, Carmelo, who’ve always treated me so well, has bestowed upon me the honour of becoming a MotoGP Legend, and this means even more than the championships I’ve won.” Because all of the MotoGP Legends are excellent Champions, but not all Champions can be called Legends, I’m incredibly honoured to be a part of this incredible club. “Thanks to MotoGP, I’m incredibly lucky and glad to enjoy the life I do,” Lorenzo added. Ezpeleta expressed gratitude for Lorenzo’s contributions to the MotoGP paddock. “For us, Jorge has been a very, very special person in this generation, who has allowed us to grow as we’ve grown.” It’s a great occasion for MotoGP and for me to express my gratitude to Jorge, the MotoGP veteran.