Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis has explained his decision not to let Jorge Lorenzo test with Ducati at a Jerez test despite honouring the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ which will see the Spaniard ride a Desmosedici at Valencia.

At a special press conference in Japan today, Jarvis took great pains to point out that Lorenzo’s contract runs until December 31 and he still works for Yamaha until the end of that day.

"What we've done with the Valencia test is, in the spirit of cooperation amongst the manufacturers, a relic of simple times - the gentlemen's agreement - we've let Jorge be available to do two days of testing in Valencia,” Jarvis said.

"And for us, we think that that's reasonable and we think that that's correct, and that's enough.

"In the case of Jorge - but in the case of anybody else, it would be the same with Valentino - we spend a lot of money on our rider contracts. It is a very, very significant investment.

"For us, for our company and for our sponsors, it would be very difficult to explain why you let your rider that you're still paying test for multiple days for your main competitor.

"We are willing to play the game and we are willing to do what is normal to allow the riders to have an exception to step out of the contract for two days at Valencia.”