Jorge Lorenzo needed fresh challenges in his MotoGP career so made the switch to Ducati for 2016, just days before the series embarks on what Wayne Rainey once described as ‘the ground war’.

Jerez is the venue for this weekend’s blue riband clash and Lorenzo will continue to ride for the Movistar-backed team until the end of the season - however, he more than likely won’t receive any upgrades as they move through the season.

“I felt I needed a change, a new challenge in my career, set new goals for me to try to achieve and keep my level of ambition at the maximum. I have only words of gratitude to the Yamaha family because of all the moments we lived through together,” said the Mallorcan.

“I achieved much more than I'd ever dreamt. What will happen in the future is unpredictable but from here on I just want to enjoy these 15 races that I have left with Yamaha to try to ratify the World Championship. This is right now my only target."