Confirmed: Lorenzo makes Ducati switch for 2017

As reported by MCN weeks ago, reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo will make the switch from Yamaha to Ducati for the 2017 and 2018 MotoGP seasons.

The news was confirmed this afternoon only minutes after Yamaha first announced that the Spaniard would not be remaining with them.

Rumours had circulated for week that Ducati had prepared a highly lucrative offer for the Spaniard, backed by the combined finances of long-time sponsor tobacco giant Phillip Morris and of owners Audi, both of whom are keen to see the team return to winning races and championships.

The reigning world champion has signed a two-year deal with the Italian factory.

Lorenzo’s first outing on the Desmosedici GP bike is likely to be at the Valencian test immediately after the final round of the series in November – but he may remain blocked from discussing it until January and the New Year.