MotoGP Gossip: “Truth hurts!” - Agostini, Lorenzo spat takes a twist

- Giacomo Agostini has aimed another salvo at Jorge Lorenzo after the ex-Yamaha/Ducati/Honda rider responded angrily to comments made by the grand prix legend last week. The spat began when Agostini suggested Lorenzo’s decision to retire at the end of the 2019 season was simply because he couldn’t get his head around the Honda – rather than his stated fear of picking up more injuries – prompting the Spaniard to counter “he says I failed in Ducati ... Come on man! How easy it is to talk when you haven't ridden a motorcycle for 50 years.”

However, Agostini has bitten back in an interview with DAZN, saying he is within his rights to criticise Lorenzo just as much as he has complimented him for his success over the years, adding “the truth hurts, I don't need to lick anyone's feet, and just as I have always complimented Lorenzo on doing great things, so I feel free to criticise him when he has failed.” (DAZN via Visordown)

- Despite being one of the few riders with a signed deal for the 2021 MotoGP season with Avintia Ducati, Tito Rabat admits it isn’t necessarily a guarantee he will definitely be on the grid next year with the team. Seemingly a reference to the abrupt departure of team-mate Karel Abraham at the conclusion of 2019, he admits “we have already seen how the market is.” (Onda Cero via Motosan)

- Ducati may have been fairly open about the top riders it has been courting for the 2021 MotoGP season, but it still has one eye on tomorrow’s generation. Having already identified Lorenzo Baldassarri and Enea Bastianini as potential targets, Spanish racer Jorge Martin is also in Paolo Ciabatti’s sights, saying “Bastianini and Baldassarri are certainly two important names from Moto2 for us, and Jorge Martin is one of them. We have been watching these drivers for a long time and know they have good potential” (Speedweek)

- Moto2 outfit American Racing has announced it will expand its interests to run a team in the MotoAmerica Ohvale Mini Cup by Motul. The aim of the team is to give burgeoning talent a strong platform from which to progress to the grand prix ranks via the US-based series. (American Racing)

- The end of the strictest lockdown measures in Italy has allowed Valentino Rossi to reopen his Ranch and he has duly been getting the miles under his belt as he gears up for MotoGP’s planned restart date in July (Instagram)

 

 

 

 

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One lap at the Ranch with @vr46ridersacademyofficial #GoProMAX

A post shared by valeyellow46 (@valeyellow46) on May 12, 2020 at 6:29am PDT