11 years in MotoGP ™, winner of five world championships, 282 races, 31 years old. Jorge Lorenzo starts a new challenge in 2019 when he joins the Repsol Honda team. Just over two months before the start of the season in Qatar, the Spanish rider gives his first interview to analyze his first impressions of the Honda RC213V, to talk about what it means to be part of his new team and to outline his ambitions for the year.
How do you like the new colors?
“I like the colours. My favorite colors have always been white, red, and black, and now we can add orange to that. They are colors that stand for success, with many victories and many world championships in the last 25 years. I am very proud to be part of this family and to be able to help make the team even stronger. “
What does it mean to you to be part of the Repsol Honda Team?
“Repsol Honda is possibly the most successful team in history. You have the most wins and titles. To compare them to a soccer team, they would be a Barça or a Real Madrid. There is no team with more titles and greater importance in the world than this one. “
What did you think when you tried your new bike for the first time?
“Last season I rode a completely different bike that was very big and very big. Maybe it was a little too big for me. The dimensions of the Honda fit me better. It’s more compact, a smaller and lower bike that allows me to bend better. I felt a little more confident entering turns because the closer you are to the ground, the more confident you are. The first impression was positive and I saw a lot of potential there. “
When you first stepped off the Honda, you did so with a big smile. What did you think when you stepped into the Repsol Honda team pit?
“In these moments, your expression speaks for itself. It’s all very exciting, very new and fun. If the initial feeling is good, you can tell even more from the expression on your face. “
“One of the things that impressed me the most was the responsiveness of the Repsol Honda team.”
Changes have already been made between the tests in Valencia and Jerez. What were you
“One of the things that impressed me the most was the Repsol Honda team’s ability to be responsive and deliver what you ask for. I was pretty sure Honda took all of my advice and within a few days they had everything ready – and we had a fuel tank that was almost 100 percent to my liking. “
You said you would learn from Marc Marquez, but he would also learn from you. What do you think Marc can offer you and what can you offer him?
“All drivers have our strengths and weaknesses. Marc has them too. I will try to learn from his strengths and I think he will try to learn from mine. We’ll push each other; I will want to beat him and he will want to beat me and that always makes the team grow and helps make new technical advances for the bike. “
This year the Repsol Honda Team turns 25 and Repsol celebrates 50 years of sponsoring sport. what does that mean to you?
“25 years is a long time. When Repsol started sponsoring the Honda team in 1995, I was watching motorcycle races on TV. I remember the fights between Harada and my idol Max Biaggi in 250cc, but also the 500cc fights between Crivillé and Doohan when Rossi signed for Repsol Honda and Nicky Hayden won the 2006 World Championship. It is a very successful team with many wins and world titles and now I will have the honor and pleasure of being part of it.
“50 years is an extremely long time. I think Ángel Nieto was one of the first athletes that Repsol sponsored. He was the first in Spain and the one who promoted the sport in that country. It is amazing that Repsol supported him back then. “
The team presentation will take place on January 23rd in Madrid. Is it a day full of anticipation?
“The presentation will be very special for me. I think it raises great expectations because together we have twelve world championships and many victories. Above all, the best-equipped team in history has a lot of talent and a lot of speed. The expectations and optimism are great and we will have fun on this day. “
Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez will showcase their full colors for 2019 next to the RC213V in Madrid on January 23rd.