After devoting himself to travelling, enjoying life post-retirement and commenting on GPs for DAZN, Jorge Lorenzo will return to the MotoGP paddock in an entirely new role: that of Vinales' physical, mental and technical coach with the clear aim of leading him to win the World Championship. Formerly his opponent on the track, the ex-rider from Palma de Mallorca will now use all his skills and abilities to enable the KTM Tech3 team rider to make that extra leap forward needed to be able to make a difference.
"With Maverick we know each other from the circuits having raced together in the top category from 2015 to 2019 and our relationship has not always been peaceful. For example just in 2019 at Montmelo, if there had been no cameras around we would have killed each other. Beyond that I consider him one of the five strongest rivals I've had. I remember when he switched to Yamaha, seeing how strong he had gone in the Sepang tests scared me. He's a very talented rider who I would compare to the big guys of my era. Maybe only Stoner had a little more pure talent," he told his podcast Duralavita.
What convinced you to take on this role?
"If other riders with less quality have been able to fight for the title, I don't see why he can't. In any case, discussions about us working together started a year or so ago when he was still at Aprilia and now they have materialized. In January he will be 31 years old. This is not young, as this is the age when you begin to decline physically, but he is very mature, he is very hungry, he listens to me attentively and does almost everything I propose. He should just work a little better on meditation and follow in this aspect the guidance that Phil Jackson gave to the Chicago Bulls in basketball."
What is needed to win?
"In my opinion you need to have speed, the bike, physical fitness, which can be improved to a certain extent, and mental strength. I think my experience added to his talent and speed can bring results if we do things right. Maverick then is in a very good moment in life, he is very calm and is equally aware that cold bloodedness is essential in order not to make mistakes. From this point of view I take Rocky as a reference. When a sportsman has it all, fame, money and children, he tends to settle down. In the film, Apollo Creed offers to help Rocky at exactly that stage and that is what I will do with Vinales, although he still has the motivation. Similarly, as when together on the couch they observe Mr. T talking a little too much, we will try to disprove those who are saying that we won't win more than four races."
Have you had a chance to work together yet?
In Valencia we were able to do little because everything was still under secrecy. Now that the announcement has been made, however, we went to the Aspar track and there we focused on the technical aspects and meditation. In my opinion, he is the best student I could have because he is humble and listens to all directions so he can improve."
Will you follow him on the circuits?
"I reside in Dubai so I won't be able to be present at all the races, however, it will be important to be there in the tests and at the beginning of the year. At that point we will see what I can do technically and psychologically. I myself was helped when I was in 250 by Alex Debon.... He gave me a great hand. Honestly in MotoGP I would have liked to have Max Biaggi next to me, who is my idol, or Mick Doohan, so I wouldn't have made the mistakes I later made. Maverick will have this opportunity that I missed and hopefully it will bear fruit. He and I will always be in contact anyway."
What bikes have you used in these first tests and what are the next steps?
"KTM and Suzuki. Being stationary for a few years I don't have the same competitiveness as him. Only in the dirt track can I bother him. The goal, however, is to become good enough in everything to win. When Verstappen wins so many races, he does it because he deserves it and he is the best at everything. When Toni Bou wins everything in trials he does it because he is the best at almost everything, and the same can be said for Ayrton Senna or Michael Jordan. We need to at least approach this level and fight for podiums and individual wins."