Lorenzo’s closest rival Dani Pedrosa was already back in Europe recovering from a broken left collarbone he’d suffered when the throttle stuck open on his Repsol Honda in practice.īefore Pedrosa’s cruel luck, Rossi had assured Yamaha he would do everything within his power to help Lorenzo win the title. Lorenzo stood on the brink of his first MotoGP world title, but nobody could have cared less than Rossi, who once again played the role of smiling assassin to absolute perfection.Īs a meaningful contest, the World Championship was already over. Not that Valentino Rossi needs motivating to defeat Jorge Lorenzo at the start of their crucial title run-in in Japan this weekend, but the Italian might cast his mind back to their famous fight at the Twin Ring Motegi in 2010 if he is seeking inspiration. For the 2015 season he joins the team to bring you exclusive news and opinion from inside the paddock. With nineteen years of experience reporting on MotoGP™ for Motorcycle News, MotoGP™ Commentator Matthew Birt knows the Championship inside-out. Rossi could cast his mind back to his famous fight with Lorenzo at the Twin Ring Motegi in 2010, if he is seeking inspiration.

Epic seven ring of glory