MotoGP Honda boss Alberto Puig admitted he does not hold a grudge against Jorge Lorenzo, he understands the decision to retire earlier than expected, and applauds the Spaniard’s courage and honesty.
Lorenzo will be on track in early February for Sepang testing, but not on the handlebars of the Honda RC213V. He returns to MotoGP as Yamaha test rider.
His 2019 campaign, full of promise, ended with the worst record of his career no podium, no pole, falls in a mess and 19th place in the championship.
He finally retired at the end of the Valencian Community Grand Prix, explaining that he had lost his motivation, that he could not be quick on the Honda and that he was afraid of being seriously injured.
“He did not adapt to the motorcycle, the accidents happened and, consequently, the decision to retire. It hurt us very much, it hurt us, because the HRC always does its best for the riders to develop their potential, and it couldn’t.” Puig said.
For what Jorge was, I understand him perfectly. A five-time world champion, born to ride and win, cannot fight for 10th place with a Honda. I applaud how he did it: he was brave and honest, and for that his goodbyes were good, without resentment. He was thankful, content and free.” Puig added.
Lorenzo’s early laps on the Honda RC213V weren’t necessarily bad, and there were times when we thought he was going to find the key. But for Puig, his problems come from repeated falls; they were right about him.
“At the November tests he was very fast, without the bike being 100% to his liking. Then some things were changed, we went to Qatar, he had a big fall, he lost confidence in the front, and from there he never made it to the motorcycle. When you don’t trust the bike, you can’t be fast. It’s impossible.” Puig said.
Puig also regrets that he was unable to benefit from the effusion that the presence of the two Spanish champions, Lorenzo and Marc Marquez, could have caused in the same box.
