Rossi Admits Lorenzo Is The Toughest Rival In MotoGP

Valentino Rossi when he arrived in Indonesia to see his team VR46 Racing Team competing in the 2025 Mandalika MotoGP (doc. Pertamina Lubricants).

JAKARTA The Italian racing legend, Valentino Rossi, called Jorge Lorenzo his biggest rival while actively racing on the MotoGP track.

This was conveyed by Rossi on the sidelines of the launch of a new pattern (livery) for his team Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Rossi says Lorenzo is one of several tough rivals he has been active. Other names are Casey Stoner, Max Biaggi, and Dani Pedrosa.

"It's hard to say what's tougher. Maybe Lorenzo because we've been in the same team for a long time, this is not just a rival, but also a love story," he said.

Both names had marked an era in MotoGP as team-mates after Lorenzo moved up to first class in 2008.

The Spaniard managed to make it difficult for Rossi. However, Rossi was still able to win the world title in 2008 and 2009.

Their last duel in 2010 ended with Valentino's injury before he moved to Ducati. Meanwhile, Lorenzo came out as world champion for the first time.

Rossi rode a Desmosedici that didn't match his expectations and Lorenzo stayed at Yamaha, which allowed him to add to his title in 2012.

They were then reunited at Yamaha's breakthrough and presented the controversial 2015 MotoGP drama. At that time Lorenzo came out as champion after only five points ahead of Rossi.

Rossi is now busy taking care of his team Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team who will take part in this weekend's race at the Mandalika Circuit, Lombok.

The Mandalika 2025 MotoGP will take place on 3-5 October 2025.