Jorge Lorenzo Signs with Shark Helmets
Though Jorge Lorenzo’s camp did their best to dispel any rumors that he may depart from HJC, it seems that it came to a pass anyway. This week, the 2015 MotoGP Champion signed a contract to exclusively wear French manufacturer Shark Helmets for 2016.
Shark Helmets is not unfamiliar to the world of racing; over the years the helmet maker has supported notable riders in MotoGP and WSBK, some of which have included: Troy Corser, Olivier Jacque, Carl Fogarty, and Randy De Puniet,
Those names alone give credibility to the Shark products, and fit with its tradition of supporting other talented riders, including Miguel Oliveira, Aleix Espargaro, Johann Zarco, Alex Lowes and Sam Lowes, Tom Sykes, Sylvain Guintoli, and Scott Redding, among many others.
Lorenzo’s current contract with the Korean manufacturer HJC was set to expire at the end of this season and, most likely, due to the few incidents that he attributed to hindering his performance, he chose not to continue their relationship.
During the opening race of the season at Qatar, the helmet liner rotated slightly forward inside the shell of the helmet and obscured some of his vision, causing him to drop into a fourth place finish. At the time he said, “I was feeling better and better, but suddenly there was something wrong when in the top part of the helmet the foam came loose and came down, so I lost half of my vision,” Lorenzo said.
Later in the season at a very wet Silverstone round, Lorenzo again suffered an issue where he couldn’t see properly. Wet races are tough enough anyway, but during the drenched Silverstone 2015 MotoGP race, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Lorenzo experienced severe fogging of his visor, partly caused by his decision not to utilize the breath deflector that fits across the nose and helps prevent exhaled moisture rising inside the helmet on to the inside of the visor. Post-race, Lorenzo (teammate of nine-time World Champion and winner of the race, Valentino Rossi) commented, “The problem was when it started raining more and the temperature went down and I caught Andrea I couldn’t see. I completely lost my vision, because the visor was foggy.”
In the press release published earlier today, Jorge Lorenzo spoke with kindness regarding his departure, sharing his thanks for HJC’s support over the years, “It was not an easy decision, but after three seasons in HJC Helmets, it’s time to part ways. I want to thank especially HJC and the Hong family for their work and support they have given me unconditionally over the past three years,” said the Spanish champion. He continued by stating, “I am very happy to address the coming seasons with a brand like Shark, which has a long history in professional motorcycling.”
For more, visit Jorge Lorenzo’s Twitter page, which showcased the 2015 MotoGP Champion’s new agreement.
As always, Ultimate MotorCycling is here to bring you news regarding the premier racing league. Own a Shark or HJC helmet? Have any issues with either lid? Please share your thoughts below.
