Ducati Desmosedici GP17 2017

This evidence is there, and the Ducati Desmosedici became a real contender once again. The next step? Hire some serious talent, and that’s what Ducati did with the signing of MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo, the most-successful Spanish GP rider in history (two 250cc and three MotoGP titles).

The 29-year-old Lorenzo joined GP in the former two-stroke 125cc class with Derbi at 15—the youngest rider to debut in the World Championship. Three years later, he joined the former two-stroke 250cc class in 2005 with Honda. He joined Aprilia in 2006, and claimed two titles.

For 2008, Lorenzo joined the factory Yamaha team alongside Rossi, and was an immediate threat. He would go on to win three titles (2010, 2012, 2015), and finish second overall in 2009, 2011 and 2013. To date, Lorenzo has the record number of GP pole positions with 65, and, in the premier class, 44 wins and 107 podiums.

Following nine years with Yamaha, Lorenzo signed with Ducati Team, and joins Dovizioso. Lorenzo will compete on the revised Ducati GP17 as he looks to claim his fourth MotoGP title, and a second one for Ducati.