2011 MotoGP
The 2010 MotoGP season was a historical one for Jorge Lorenzo. The factory MotoGP rider won nine races en route to his first premier title, and earned a record-breaking 383 points (Valentino Rossi held the previous record of 373 after winning 2008 title).
And every championship winner has the oppurtunity to don the Number One on their machines during the following season, although no other MotoGP rider has done this since Wayne Rainey defended his World Championship title for the third consecutive time in 1993.
But on Sunday, Lorenzo confirmed he would run the Number 1 plate, deciding not run his "99" on the Yamaha M1. Lorenzo will still run "99" somewhere on his Alpinestars leathers, though.
Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha MotoGP) says: "Today I can reveal my No 1. I am very proud because you have to work very hard to have the option to wear it.
"I have been lucky with my design because the No. 1 works really well with my JL initials, maybe with different letters it would have been difficult to make it look right, I hope my fans will like it!
"I won’t forget my No .99 this season, it will be there somewhere on my leathers because No 99 is in my heart. It was a difficult choice to change my number but I have earned the right for this unique opportunity to wear it."
Lorenzo will be at Sepang this Tuesday, as the 17-rider grid will be on track for the first official test session of the 2011 MotoGP season.
