Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo title scrap 'positive' for Yamaha

Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo’s unfolding rivalry is a ‘big positive’ for Yamaha.

The Fiat Yamaha duo head to this weekend’s Dutch GP in Assen tied on 106-points with 2007 world champion Casey Stoner. 

And while Yamaha management have admitted that the rivalry between Rossi and Lorenzo will be tough to manage, Lorenzo’s team boss Daniele Romagnoli told MCN: “This rivalry we have to consider as a positive because if Jorge is faster than Valentino then he reacts and says he wants to be faster.”

“And if it’s the other way round and Valentino is faster then we have to understand how to be quicker. This is going to bring Yamaha to a higher level. I think the rivalry is a big positive.” Romagnoli also believes what adds extra spice to the Rossi and Lorenzo tussle is the fact that both have the same bike and tyres, and at the end talent will decide the fight.

“At the end the difference will be down to talent. Of course there are two different teams, so they’ll have ideas and their own special setting, but at the end of the day the most important thing will be rider ability and that will make the difference, “added Romagnoli.