Jorge Lorenzo has made an official pitch to land potentially available Aprilia Racing ride for the 2021 MotoGP, but he insisted that Yamaha is still his first option.
“As I said a few weeks ago, I want to continue as a tester and my first option is still Yamaha. I have won with them and because I feel very good with the bike, but there are options as well. The other option is Aprilia, yes.” Lorenzo said.
“I spoke with Yamaha boss [Lin] Jarvis and he told me he would soon have news from Japan about the plan they would like to implement for next year, and I am waiting to hear from him.
Lorenzo returned to Yamaha in the winter as its official test rider following his retirement from racing at the end of last season. He has had just three and a half days of testing since February on the 2019 M1 due to COVID-19.
“In June, when we were full COVID-19 I was informed from Yamaha that there would surely be no more tests. So I lowered my training pace because I didn’t know what I would do next year and, if I continue, I would not have more tests until February.” Lorenzo said.
“[Massimo] Meregalli told me there was this test at Portimao to prepare for the race and I started training as best I could.
There was little time left and I did not arrive in the best shape, and in addition I had not been on a MotoGP bike for eight months, which is a super-extreme motorcycle.
“So, you lose everything, you lose your rhythm, your reflexes, your reaction time slows down and until you get back all that you need a few days of acclimatisation to MotoGP even if your name is Lorenzo, [Valentino] Rossi or [Marc] Marquez.” he added.
