MotoGP: 5 facts about Jorge Lorenzo that you probably didn't know

Jorge Lorenzo is considered one of the most popular racers in the history of MotoGP, with fans showering their love and support through thick and thin. The Spaniard enjoys the unique distinction of being the first rider from his nation, to have won multiple premier class titles which he recorded in 2012. Lorenzo who announced his retirement from the sport in late 2019, represented several teams during the course of his career. He rode for Yamaha from 2008 to 2016, Ducati from 2017 to 2018 before ending his career with Honda in 2019. However, not many fans know that their beloved racer considers Bali as the ideal vacation destination, terming it as a place where he can relax and escape all the stress.

Here’s a look at five such facts from Lorenzo’s life which fans might not be aware of:

Association With Video Games: The racer shares a close relationship with video games, as evident from the sponsored helmets he wore over the course of his career. Lorenzo wore sponsored helmets for Ghosts at the Valencian Grand Prix in 2013 and one for Advanced Warfare in 2014. He has also worn similar helmets from the Call of Duty series. The character Jorge in the video game Halo: Reach is named after him, following his initiative to wear a helmet at the 2009 Valencian Grand Prix, that replicated a style of helmet from Halo 3: ODST.

Presence of Airbag in Racing Suit: Lorenzo’s suits used to always include an advanced, full-body airbag. The airbag had active sensors that helped detect if the racer was on the track or not. It could also comprehend the difference between a fall and a near miss. In case of a fall, it would stay inflated for nearly five seconds with two charges.

Hectic Schedule At The Start Of His Career: The Spaniard used to undergo an extremely hectic schedule, at the start of his career. Lorenzo stated that he was so busy with the training he had to partake in to get the best results, that he couldn’t even party following a triumph.

Debut At The Age Of 15: Lorenzo made his debut at the 2002 125cc Spanish Grand Prix, on the second day of qualifications. The qualifications were taking place on the same day as his 15th birthday. He registered his first win in 2003, during the 12th round of the 125cc championship.

Worst Finish Ever In Final Season: The Spaniard finished his final season in 19th place, which was the worst finish in his entire career. He announced his retirement at the age of 32 in a special press conference held at Circuit Ricardo Tomo, where he was present for the last race of the season.