Akrapovic Conference Room Named After Jorge Lorenzo

Jorge Lorenzo's name has been linked forever with that of Slovenian high-performance exhaust manufacturer Akrapovic. At the end of a visit the 2015 MotoGP World Champion paid to Akrapovic, he unveiled a special commemorative plaque and received the honor of having one of the company's conference rooms named after him.
Jorge Lorenzo has been using Akrapovic exhaust technology on his Yamaha motorcycle for quite a long time now and his recent MotoGP crown called for a special celebration.

The occasion was even better because Lorenzo is the hundredth world champion using Akrapovic exhaust systems. The list includes all the motorsports Akrapovic is involved in, with motorcycles, cars and more being added to the roster with each passing year.

Jorge Lorenzo took the factory tour and signed autographs
Lorenzo's visit at the Akrapovic headquarters was a surprise the company prepared for their employees before the end of the year. Also visiting Slovenia for the first time, Jorge Lorenzo was able to see how the Akrapovic exhausts are being developed and manufactured.

Lorenzo is also one of the important figures in Akrapovic's racing history, as he is the first rider to give Akrapovic a world title in MotoGP with his 2012 championship victory, also aboard a Yamaha motorcycle.

Jorge Lorenzo is not new to having things named after him. Back in 2013, the management of the Jerez circuit decided to change the name of the famous final corner from Ducados to Jorge Lorenzo. 

"For me to receive this is so special. Even more than the world championship. A few can win the championship, but there are even less with a corner to their name.

"Jerez was the first 'pro' track where I rode at the age of 10. I also made my debut here in 125cc, eleven years ago. Jerez will always represent something special for me. The first lap I will make tomorrow with my M1 is going to be terrific," Lorenzo declared back then. The ceremony took place on the very day he turned 26.

Jorge Lorenzo 'sure' Casey Stoner will race for Ducati in MotoGP

Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo expects dual world champion Casey Stoner to make a handful of MotoGP wildcard appearances with Ducati next year.

Since retiring at the end of 2012, Stoner has worked with Honda as a test rider, but he split with the manufacturer last month to take up a similar role with Ducati.

Scope for the Australian to make wildcard MotoGP starts on a third factory Ducatialongside Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone has been mooted, and it is something 2015 world champion Lorenzo is expecting.

Stoner was keen to stand-in for the injured Dani Pedrosa earlier this year, but Honda opted against it.

"Surely he will be encouraged to run as a wildcard in some races; I think that is their intention," Lorenzo said in a MotoGP.com interview.

"I thought last [season] he would be out in a race, but at the end, due to circumstances, he wasn't.

"He will want to go out on Phillip Island or some other tracks, surely we will see him fighting with us, I think for victory."

Stoner won 38 MotoGP races with Ducati and Honda between 2007 and '12, however his only race since then was the Suzuka 8 Hours in July, in which he was injured in a crash.

Ducati has not won a race since Stoner left the Italian manufacturer at the end of 2010, but Lorenzo feels the 30-year-old would be strong if he returned.

"I have seen very few, if any, riders with the natural talent of Casey, to be fast right away with any bike and in all weather conditions," he said.

"It would be great news for everyone if Casey were to decide to come compete again.

"MotoGP is very difficult, many riders are fighting for victory, but having Casey back would be amazing.

"Hopefully he decides to return."