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Jorge Lorenzo signs contract extension with Yamaha for 2013-2014

Contract extension ends speculation on possible move by Repsol Honda to have Lorenzo fill Casey Stoner’s seat at season endThe first piece of the musical chair MotoGP rider puzzle for next year fell into place earlier than expected today as Yamaha announced that Jorge Lorenzo had signed a contract extension that will see the Majorcan riding with his current team for two more years through 2014. The announcement ends the rumors that Repsol Honda was going to make a big push for Lorenzo’s services in order to fill the gaping void that will be created with the impending retirement of Casey Stoner at the end of this season. Deciding to head off that possibility before it became a distraction for either the team or Lorenzo as he looks to earn his second MotoGP championship, Yamaha moved quickly to ensure that the centerpiece of its future MotoGP racing efforts would remain in place.

“I am extremely happy to have signed with Yamaha for two more years,� said Lorenzo in the official announcement press release. “They’ve made great efforts to retain me in the Factory Team so I want to thank all those involved at Yamaha for this. I’ve been treated like part of the Yamaha family since 2008 and I love working with them. It has always been my first option to stay here and so I’m happy that this important negotiation has finished with such a positive outcome. Now I can focus on the Championship and I’m looking forward to paying back Yamaha’s trust in me starting at Silverstone this weekend. I look forward to winning many more Championships together; my dream to finish my career with Yamaha is now closer to becoming a reality!�

Yamaha Motor Racing’s managing director Lin Jarvis was obviously relieved to have this possible disruption out of the way. “This is excellent news for Yamaha and for the Yamaha Factory Racing Team. Jorge has been with us since 2008 and achieved superb results in the first four years, the highlight being his World Championship victory in 2010. He’s currently on top form having won three of the first five GP races and finishing second in the other two. Jorge’s contract extension allows both him and Yamaha to concentrate 100% on this year’s Championship challenge without any distractions and also to make future plans together to further strengthen the winning partnership.�




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