Lorenzo reunited with his ex-250cc-teammate

Spanish triple MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo hired his compatriot Alex Debon as a personal rider-coach and track-analyst for the upcoming season.

Last year it was Michele Pirro's role, but as Ducati tester successfully competed in italian championships, raced with wildcards in MotoGP and also did some testing, he wasn't able to assist Lorenzo properly during every race week.

Meanwhile Debon is supposed to attend all races in 2018. Spaniard has already joined Jorge's team during the lastest post-season test in Valencia and then in Jerez.

Actually having a rider-coach is quite popular among motogp riders. Luca Cadalora works for Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi, Sete Gibernau for Honda's Dani Pedrosa and for last couple of years Lorenzo had Wilco Zeelemberg by his side. Spaniard's decision to pick Debon as Wilco's replacement met with general approval. 

Why? What makes Alex such a perfect candidate?

• They're friends and know each other since around 2006. It's important for such a difficult personalities like Lorenzo's to have trusted and well-known people in their squad.
• He's loyal. He worked with Ducati rider and helped him in the past, during remarkable Valencia 2006 race. Lorenzo raced so nervously that day and started slowing down. Despite being faster Debon stayed behind, sticked to his rear wheel. When Lorenzo finally passed the main title rival - Andrea Dovizioso - Debon did it too and was riding as a 'wall' for him. It let Jorge claim his first world title in 250-cc class.

motogp.com

• Debon worked with Gigi Dall'igna when he was Aprilia's rider (wildcard, tester, full-time rider) and the current Ducati Corse technical boss was responsible for Aprilia 250cc project. This mutual familarity can only make the collaboration easier.
• He's experienced. He did more than 150 starts in 250cc/Moto2 class (from 1998 to 2010), won twice.
• He knows the practical side of developing bike as he was Aprilia's tester.
• He's free. He doesn't have other racing duties and responsibilities than this.
• He's really motivated and excited for the new challenge. "I'm really happy for being able to do what I do love the most. Thanks Jorge" - he wrote on Facebook.