Grapevine: Lorenzo takes up right to use #1

MotoGP title-winners can elect to stick with their traditional racing numbers, with Lorenzo's erstwhile team-mate Valentino Rossi preferring to keep his #46 even in the seasons when he was champion, but Lorenzo will switch from his usual #99 to #1 for 2011.

"I am very proud because you have to work very hard to have the option to wear it," said Lorenzo, who ran with the #1 for post-season testing at Valencia last year.

"I have been lucky with my design because the #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 #99 this season, it will be there somewhere on my leathers because #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."

Before Rossi's recent run of titles, 2006/7 world champions Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner both chose to run with #1 during their title defences.