“I still think Marc Márquez is a dirty rider” says Chicho Lorenzo
José Manuel Lorenzo Lourido (Caracas, Venezuela, 1957), better known as “Chicho,” is a motorcycle racing coach with decades of experience. His best pupil? His son: Jorge Lorenzo, five-time World Motorcycle Champion (including three times in the premier class).
Enrique: Naturally, there’s a lot of talk about your son Jorge, but how did you get that passion for motorcycles?
Chicho: I got on a motorcycle for the first time when I was 13, and from that moment on, my life revolved around motorcycles, as a hobby, as a passion, as a sport, and as a job.
E: Then you had Jorge. When did you realize that your son could be a future world champion?
C: When Jorge was five years old, he was training on a minibike one day, and he was going so fast, so far beyond the laws of physics, that I thought: “The day he rides a 500cc like that, he’ll be world champion.”
E: What would you say has been the best race Jorge has ever had?
C: It depends on how you look at it…
[2003 Brazilian GP, 125cc]
His first victory in Brazil with the Derbi was very special because of how he achieved it: a mix of anger, courage, and self-belief.
[2013 Dutch GP, MotoGP]
His fighting spirit after the Assen race following his surgery.
[2018 Italian GP, MotoGP]
His first victory with the Ducati at Mugello, when the team had already written him off.
Then there have been many others that were also very special.
E: As a father, how did you experience your son risking his life in every race?
C: It’s the downside of a wonderful sport. The worst thing is not penalizing disgusting riders, because the risk increases, and so does the tension for parents when one of those riders is nearby.
E: You’re training future riders at your school. Is there anyone in particular you think could make it to MotoGP in the future?
C: Based on his track record, talent, work ethic, drive, and intelligence, Víctor Cubeles has everything he needs to go far in this sport. We’ll see if he achieves it.
E: And outside of your academy, are there any riders, from Moto2 to MotoJunior, who have particularly caught your eye?
C: There are quite a few very talented young Spanish riders. I love [José Antonio] Rueda, [Máximo] Quiles is also very talented… Then there are three or four more who, if they are intelligent and hardworking, can get very far.
E: You have a rather distinctive teaching style. Why is it important, for you, that a rider does perfectionist exercises at lower speeds?
C: In all major sports where there has been I+D+I for decades, a very high percentage of training is based on technical exercises. In this sport, we are the only ones with a Training Method based on technical exercises. Many copy us, but they don’t even know what each exercise is for or how to perform them.
E: You now also train Maverick Viñales, a current MotoGP rider. What is his goal, in the short or medium to long term? Is it possible to win the world championship?
C: If you are not ambitious in your dreams, you are condemned to mediocrity. In sports, anything is possible and even desirable, because surprise is what makes sports exciting. If Maverick and KTM improve by five tenths of a second per lap, they can fight for the world championship.
E: How have you seen Jorge change since his retirement from MotoGP?
C: He took a few years off to disconnect and enjoy life without other commitments. But it was only a matter of time before he needed something else to occupy his time. I’m delighted with this new chapter: I see he’s happy and excited.
E: Was there any possibility of returning to MotoGP after 2019?
C: Yes, but thankfully he realized it wasn’t a good idea.
E: Do you think that, had he continued in 2020, he could have been world champion that year, considering the general drop in performance that season?
C: Perhaps if he had stayed with Ducati and had enough motivation and factory support, he could have fought head-to-head with Márquez and the Honda. But that’s speculation, and there’s no way to prove it.
E: Speaking of the riders’ level, you think it has dropped since the days of Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, or Jorge himself. Why do you think that is?
C: [Dani] Pedrosa returned as a wildcard five years after his retirement and, with a KTM, achieved two fourth-place finishes. A result that speaks for itself and answers your question.
E: You say that Marc Márquez is the best rider in history. I understand that you also think he’s the best rider currently. Apart from him, which two or three riders would you highlight on the current grid?
C: From the current grid, nobody.
E: You have also expressed negative opinions about Márquez’s sportsmanship. Now, outside of the heated moments where you said that, do you think he is a dirty rider? Why?
C: What makes you think that what I thought was the result of getting worked up? I analyse the facts very carefully before commenting on them, and I still think the same.
E: And, regarding Sepang 2015, do you still maintain that Rossi did not kick Márquez? Why?
C: Of course. Why would I change my mind about events that I analysed very carefully at the time and for which there are many images available?
Anyone who saw a kick there would need to have their eyesight checked or learn to express opinions objectively.
E: And what do you think about Rossi’s statements saying that Marc slowed down during the race to hinder Valentino and favour Jorge?
C: Look at the race by analysing the times, if you are capable of doing so, and you will see. I think it’s very stupid to keep going over something that happened ten years ago and about which everyone has clear and unshakeable positions.
E: MotoGP bikes have changed a lot since 2015. What differences would you highlight between today’s bikes and those of that time?
C: The current ones are much uglier.
E: And between today’s bikes and the ones Jorge rode when he entered MotoGP?
C: I feel the same way.
E: Do you think it has been a positive or a negative change?
C: It has been a very negative change.
E: Overall, how do you see the 2026 MotoGP season? It seems that Aprilia is coming on strong, Marc is still recovering from injury…
C: I’m very curious to see what will happen.
E: And in the famous 2027 transfer market, do you see any major changes?
C: To be honest, I don’t really care. In the end, teams and riders will make their decisions. What I would like to see is a lot more overtaking and fair competition on the track. May the best or the smartest win.
E: Finally, if you were given a blank check to change something in motorcycling, what would it be?
C: I would reduce the costs of this sport by 80% and make being a gentleman on and off the track the most important thing. Cheating or being dirty on and off the track would not be worth it.
Leave a Reply