MotoGP | Human martillo – Motion

The Italian newspapers have not failed to analyze the news of the withdrawal of Jorge Lorenzo, returning from a nightmare season he lived in Honda alongside Marc Marquez, after winning five world titles in his career, including three in MotoGP.

The humanity of a champion unable to pretend
In the deep breath shown announcing the retreat there was a liberation and the remote shadow of doubt. Jorge Lorenzo stops, changes his life without knowing if his future life will give him those adrenaline-fueled motivations he lost on the track. A show of humanity offered by a person unable to pretend, at the cost of being unpleasant; determined to mask only her own profound loneliness. (…). After Pedrosa is the second world champion "chopped" by Marquez and Honda in two years (…); in Lorenzo's decision there is the regret of a failed renewal with Ducati; in front of a pilot who stops at 32 years the thought goes to Rossi who continues to the 40s. The fact is that Valentino preserves stimuli and fun in business while Jorge lost this joy. Without really explaining whether it is a step in a different and adult age or a gap in front of an unacceptable image of himself. Something that will need care to find peace. So, good wind and courage. To win elsewhere or to go back to where you've won almost everything.

Giorgio Terruzzi, Corriere della Sera, 15 November 2019

Lorenzo, goodbye motorcycle "I retire and I'll be happy enough compromises"
In the end he surrendered to the ghosts. Of another fall, of the confrontation with that demon of Marquez. Of the judgment of others. Lorenzo said enough, Sunday will be his last race. At 32, after 17 seasons, 5 titles (3 in MotoGp) and 68 races won. The magnificent. He was one of the greatest ever, but only now that he is about to leave the track does he swear he feels "free, finally". He says that from Monday everyone will be able to know the "true" Jorge: "Relaxed, happy. No longer forced to prove something, victim of compromises », he adds, confessing the poorly disguised fragility of a champion who has dominated and suffered as well. After the rich failure at Ducati, it had to be a dream season, the Honda Dream Team with the Cannibal: which instead put him in the big pot as he had done before with Perdosa. (…). In 18 gp he collected the misery of 25 points, not even once in the top 10, embarrassing delays around the minute. A disaster that is also the result of a misfortune that – they say – has begun to haunt him after that World Cup was blown into controversy in 2015 by Valentino, right here in Valencia. At the beginning of the year, an injury that caused him to miss the tests with the RC213V, forcing him to start late. In June the terrible fall in Assen, the fracture of a vertebra and the physiotherapist who tells him: "If you had sneezed, you could have been paralyzed". Here it is. It was then that the mind clicked. (…). After a long pause he tried again, it was even worse. He still had a year's contract, Honda would never have fired him. But it was clear, he could not continue like this. (…). During the surprise press conference held yesterday afternoon at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, he alternated moments of pure sadness with pride shocks in an exemplary personal drama. «I was 5 times world champion, a 6th or 7th title would have changed nothing. I am a winner ». Once again, the fear of judgment. And then, the uncertainty of those who are not peaceful. Not yet: "This is an almost final decision. I leave a 5% door open ». Pilots and journalists applauded him. Only Valentino was missing, why? "I had things to do, I wasn't invited. I will find a way to talk to Jorge alone ». (…).

Massimo Calandri, The Republic, 15 November 2019

Lorenzo's farewell "I have won enough and now I suffer too much"
A long applause echoes in the Valencia conference room. Pilots, managers, practically the whole paddock, stand up in front of Jorge Lorenzo. A few seconds earlier he pronounced the words that had been waiting for a long time, even if the hope remained that he would change his mind: "This will be my last race, I will withdraw". Sunday's Gp will be the final battle for the Spartan arrived from Mallorca. Accidents and lack of results have prevailed, better to stop than to continue an ordeal without seeing the end (…). A year ago, in Valencia, he started writing the new chapter of his career. He had arrived on the Honda, alongside the cannibal Marquez, accepting the challenge of trying to beat the best with his own weapons. The Japanese motorcycle, however, did not fit the style of Jorge, who did not give up, and the falls came. Heavy for the physical. First in the Barcelona tests, then in Assen, where two vertebrae were fractured. (…). At the age of 32, after the race of two weeks ago in Malaysia, he made the final decision: enough with the races. (…) The program is to take a long vacation and start his second life. "It's a shame to lose it," his rivals said in chorus. Valentino, his team mate for years and long-standing rival, would like him to test his skills at Yamaha, a role that both Stoner and Pedrosa accepted after the farewell to the races. (…). Lorenzo, however, does not think about getting his helmet and overalls back on, while leaving a small gap open. "Never say never, but what could I add to my career? I have nothing more to prove ». Five world titles, 68 victories, 152 podiums and 69 pole positions make it one of the greatest drivers ever and next year will enter the MotoGP hall of fame. Meanwhile the hunt for his saddle has begun, with Zarco as the first candidate, but without forgetting Alex Marquez, Marc's brother and fresh champion in Moto2. For Lorenzo certain problems are behind us: "Now I feel happy".

Matteo Aglio, The print, 15 November 2019

Lorenzo retires because he has lost his courage and unconsciousness
There is always a halo of regret when a champion says goodbye to sport in the prime of his career. Lewis Hamilton, six-time F1 champion, confessed to feeling like an artist who is making his masterpiece and not yet finished. For the same reason, the withdrawal of Jorge Lorenzo at 32 leaves the feeling of an unfinished work. (…) But it can happen when your career of successes is screwed up suddenly in a spiral of falls, injuries, disappointments and defeats. When you realize that you are no longer able to win, the thing that was natural to you before, and that you could really hurt yourself. (…). The falls at Montmelò and Assen have undermined the body and the spirit, as Lorenzo explained yesterday (…). Was the fear to stop Lorenzo or the bitterness of not feeling anymore the rider able to beat even Yamaha Rossi in the years? Maybe both. (…). It has already happened to others. For motorcyclists it is a net watershed in these cases. It is a sport of courage and unconsciousness. If you miss them, you're done.

Luigi Perna, La Gazzetta dello Sport, 15 November 2019