Photo: Yamaha
Giacomo Agostini's latest interview with Italian magazine Quotidiano literally brings the MotoGP riders' market to the boiling point. The 15-time World Champion says that he knows of a super-offer Audi made Jorge Lorenzo to jump ship and become a Ducati factory rider, apparently starting 2017.
Talking to the mentioned magazine, Agostini adds that it's somewhat normal that the relationship between Rossi and Lorenzo is a tensioned one. "Back in the day, when I was still racing, my teammate used to be my greatest rival," the great Ago tells.
He also sounds exceedingly confident when he tells that "Audi, who has control of Ducati, presented Lorenzo a super-offer." However, Giacomo Agostini refrains from making any "prophecies" as to whether the Mallorcan will accept the offer from Audi/Ducati.
Still, Agostini says that the entire matter relies on what Lorenzo thinks he can accomplish aboard a Ducati. Openly admitting that Yamaha currently has the best bikes in MotoGP, Agostini says that giving it up for a bigger paycheck and the prospect of riding a Ducati to victory is a tough choice even for him.
We remind you that increasingly credible rumors regarding Ducati being quite interested in having Jorge Lorenzo in the factory team surfaced earlier this year. Rossi made the first move, signing a new two-season deal with Yamaha, whereas Lorenzo said that he had an offer but was still evaluating it.
Also, Marc Marquez, a rider with massive native talent should not be discarded, Ago says, even though the new motorcycle Honda prepared for 2016 will most likely make him a less dangerous opponent than Lorenzo, Quotidiano reports.
Rossi will still win races, Agostini believes, and he concludes by talking about the two best-loved Italian brands: "We, Italy, as a country need a Ferrari that wins, and a Rossi who becomes a champion once more. Good examples serve us well!"
It looks like the beans have been spilled and now it's down to playing the waiting game. Our take is that Lorenzo's self-esteem will push him towards Ducati in 2017, trying to show to Borgo Panigale, himself, Yamaha, Rossi, and the world what he's made of...
He also sounds exceedingly confident when he tells that "Audi, who has control of Ducati, presented Lorenzo a super-offer." However, Giacomo Agostini refrains from making any "prophecies" as to whether the Mallorcan will accept the offer from Audi/Ducati.
Still, Agostini says that the entire matter relies on what Lorenzo thinks he can accomplish aboard a Ducati. Openly admitting that Yamaha currently has the best bikes in MotoGP, Agostini says that giving it up for a bigger paycheck and the prospect of riding a Ducati to victory is a tough choice even for him.
We remind you that increasingly credible rumors regarding Ducati being quite interested in having Jorge Lorenzo in the factory team surfaced earlier this year. Rossi made the first move, signing a new two-season deal with Yamaha, whereas Lorenzo said that he had an offer but was still evaluating it.
Agostini: Rossi deserves huge admiration for battling a generation of much younger riders so fiercely
Giacomo Agostini also says that the outcome of the 2016 championship is hard to predict. Rossi shows that he can turn his age to his advantage, using his experience to battle hard with a generation of riders much younger than him, and still beat most of them.Also, Marc Marquez, a rider with massive native talent should not be discarded, Ago says, even though the new motorcycle Honda prepared for 2016 will most likely make him a less dangerous opponent than Lorenzo, Quotidiano reports.
Rossi will still win races, Agostini believes, and he concludes by talking about the two best-loved Italian brands: "We, Italy, as a country need a Ferrari that wins, and a Rossi who becomes a champion once more. Good examples serve us well!"
It looks like the beans have been spilled and now it's down to playing the waiting game. Our take is that Lorenzo's self-esteem will push him towards Ducati in 2017, trying to show to Borgo Panigale, himself, Yamaha, Rossi, and the world what he's made of...
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