Jorge Lorenzo will be made a MotoGP legend at the Jerez round of the 2020 MotoGP championship in May Dorna has announced, while Max Biaggi will also be inducted.
MotoGP organisers Dorna confirmed Lorenzo will be made an official MotoGP legend following his shock retirement announcement ahead of the ’19 finale at Valencia, with Jerez having subsequently been chosen as the setting for the Mallorcans induction.
Two other riders will also receive legend status during ’20, with four time 250cc champion Biaggi receiving his accolade at home during the Mugello race weekend, while Kiwi ace Hugh Anderson-who secured four titles across the 50cc and 125cc classes during the 1960s-will also be honoured later in the year.
“To be named a MotoGP Legend makes me extremely happy,” said Lorenzo.
“When I began competing in this world, what I really aspired to do was to get into the World Championship.
“To be able to win races and then five World Championships is something that far outweighs what I expected, and to be a MotoGP Legend is something even more difficult to achieve.
“To be named a Legend means, apart from the titles, that you’ve left a mark on the people and history of this sport. I’d like to thank Dorna and the FIM for their support all these years, and for having included me in this special group of select riders.”
Lorenzo won 68 races across his 18 year stint across all three motorcycle grand prix racing classes, claiming three premier class titles with Yamaha to go along with a pair of 250cc crowns.
He also managed to win three races during his two years with the Ducati factory squad, before ending his career with a horror season with Honda marred with a lack of pace and multiple injuries that culminated in his decision to retire from professional racing.
Biaggi was unable to add any further grand prix titles after stepping up to the 500cc class with Honda in 1998, but managed three runners-up championship results alongside 13 race wins-including on debut at Suzuka- as he fought Valentino Rossi during the Italians prime.
He left the MotoGP paddock at the conclusion of the 2005 campaign before joining the World Superbike championship for ’07, going on to secure a brace of titles with Aprilia.
Anderson meanwhile enjoyed a short but fruitful career in bike racing, securing his four titles across just seven seasons between 1960 and ‘66, claiming an impressive 24 victories during this period. He also managed to win the Lightweight and Ultra-Lightweight classes at the Isle of Mans TT, in 1963 and ’64 respectively.
