Lorenzo to Agostini: “How easy it is to talk when you haven’t ridden a motorcycle for 50 years”

The bizarre feud between Jorge Lorenzo and Giacomo Agostini continues, as the Spaniard disputes claims that he “failed” at Ducati and Honda, reports crash.net.

It all started when Ago suggested that Lorenzo’s mediocre form was a matter of the mind.

“Twice he has failed and has not achieved results,” Agostini said.

“The bike is important, but sometimes it’s the head that makes the difference.

Lorenzo responded on social media, saying “do I owe money to this man or what?”

“He says I failed in Ducati … Come on man! How easy it is to talk when you haven’t ridden a motorcycle for 50 years.”

Agostini stands by his comments, saying that the “truth hurts”.

In a lengthy social media post, Jorge Lorenzo reignited the barny by pointing out the differences between modern MotoGP competition and Agostini’s racing era.

View this post on Instagram

Espero algún día, no tener que lidiar con las nuevas generaciones quedándome fosilizado en los recuerdos de mis victorias, comparando el futuro con mi pasado y diciendo: "Yo en mis tiempos…” Creo que lo que el señor Giacomo Agostini debería entender es que cada época del motociclismo tiene su historia, cada campeón tiene su importancia en el contexto en el que vivió, tanto en lo que respecta a sus rivales como a la tecnología. Por ejemplo, si bien en los años 60 se corría en circuitos con nivel de seguridad muy bajo, muchas veces la diferencia entre la moto mas rápida y la mas lenta rondaba los 10 segundos. Algunos pilotos disfrutaban de tal ventaja que podían permitirse el lujo de correr (y ganar) en varias categorías el mismo año. Aunque la tecnología ya avanzaba, todavía quedaba a años luz de la actual (hablamos de motocicletas de llantas de radios y frenos de tambor). En las ultimas décadas, tanto los circuitos como la tecnología han avanzado enormemente. Con la centralita única y el monógama se ha conseguido un gran equilibrio entre todas las motos. Las fabricas buscan cualquier pequeña ventaja que les haga vencer a sus rivales y muchas de las victorias se consiguen por escasas milésimas… Cuando tras 45 minutos de carrera, un segundo separa al primero del quinto, significa que cualquier pequeño detalle es necesario para obtener algo de ventaja y poder ganar. En tal contexto, detalles como un vértice aerodinámico, un ajuste en el mapa electrónico o unos bordes en el deposito se convierten en determinantes para tal propósito. Por el contrario, cuando la diferencia se mide en decenas de segundos, minutos o incluso vueltas, los pequeños detalles se vuelven insignificantes. Y si, también puedes quedarte satisfecho con una ergonomía imperfecta. Y esto, querido Giacomo, si que es una verdad irrefutable. Por eso, cuando alguien (que conoce circunstancias y hechos), afirma que no obtuve resultados en Ducati, no puedo dejar de sorprenderme. Con todo el debido respeto, creo que recurrir al “Yo en mis tiempos…” o al puro “resultadismo” para valorar la capacidad de un campeón de la época moderna, me parece una banalidad impropia de una leyenda como usted.

A post shared by JORGE LORENZO (@jorgelorenzo99) on May 15, 2020 at 6:05am PDT

Here is Jorge Lorenzo’s social media post, translated from Spanish.

“I hope someday, not having to deal with the new generations staying fossilized in the memories of my victories, comparing the future with my past and saying: “I in my time …” I think what Mr. Giacomo Agostini should understand is that each era of motorcycling has its history, each champion has its importance in the context in which it lived, both in regard to its rivals and technology.

“For example, although in the 60s you ran on circuits with a very low safety level, many times the difference between the fastest and the slowest motorcycles was around 10 seconds. Some riders enjoyed such an advantage that they could afford to run (and win) in various categories in the same year.

“Although the technology was already advancing, it was still light years from the current one (we are talking about motorcycles with spoke wheels and drum brakes). In the last decades, both circuits and technology have advanced enormously. With the unique switchboard and the Monogamous, a great balance has been achieved between all the bikes. The factories look for any small advantage that makes them beat their rivals and many of the victories are achieved by a few thousandths…

“When, after 45 minutes of racing, a second separates the first from the fifth, it means that any small detail is necessary to gain some advantage and be able to win. In such a context, details such as an aerodynamic vertex, an adjustment in the electronic map or some edges in the tank become decisive for this purpose.

“Conversely, when the difference is measured in tens of seconds, minutes or even turns, the small details become insignificant. And yes, you can also be satisfied with imperfect ergonomics.

“And this, dear Giacomo, is an irrefutable truth.

“So when someone (who knows the circumstances and facts) says that I did not get results at Ducati, I can’t help but be amazed.

“With all due respect, I think that resorting to “I in my time …” or pure “resultadism” [sic] to assess the ability of a champion of the modern era, seems to me a banality improper from a legend like you.”

Spencer Leech

Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.