MotoGP 2018: Jorge Lorenzo joins Honda to replace Dani Pedrosa next season after deciding to leave Ducati

Five-time world champion will partner Marc Marquez from 2019 after signing a two-year contract

Jorge Lorenzo will join Honda for the 2019 MotoGP season (Getty)

Five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo will replace Dani Pedrosa at Honda next season after the Japanese manufacturer announced the signing of the current MotoGP Ducati rider, ending his two-year spell with the Italian outfit.

The news comes just one day after Honda announced that Pedrosa’s contract, which expires at the end of the year, will not be extended, ending their 18-year association and resulting in reigning world champion and current championship leader Marc Marquez inheriting a new teammate next season.

“Honda Racing Corporation is pleased to announce the signing of three-times MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo,” a Honda statement read on Wednesday. “The Spanish rider will join the Repsol Honda Team for the next two years.

“From 2019, Lorenzo will ride a factory RC213V together with four-times MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez: two great champions with great talent and high hopes that will make a stronger team and contribute to the development of Honda motorcycles.”

Lorenzo left Yamaha in 2016 after winning three MotoGP championships in 2010, 2012 and 2015, with the Spaniard embarking on a new chapter with Ducati. But much like Valentino Rossi’s ill-fated move, Lorenzo struggled to adapt his style to suit the Desmosedici and finished last season’s championship down in seventh place.

Jorge Lorenzo will replace Dani Pedrosa at Honda (Getty)

The 31-year-old has continued to struggle this season, retiring at both the Qatar and Spanish Grand Prixs, although he finally secured his first win with Ducati last weekend at Mugello which sparked wild celebrations among the team. But rumours had already surfaced that Lorenzo was on the move next season, with Suzuki another potential suitor, and with Pedrosa enduring a difficult start to the campaign – he sits 12th in the riders’ standings after three retirements from six races and a best finish of fifth – Honda have taken the decision to replace the 32-year-old.

Despite crashing at Mugello last weekend and eventually finishing 16th, Marquez continues to lead the world championship by 23 points over nearest rival Valentino Rossi, with Lorenzo down in 10th on 54 points behind the pace-setter.