Jorge Lorenzo's move to Ducati good for MotoGP

Three-time champion Lorenzo confirmed his move from Yamaha to Ducati in the week before the Spanish Grand Prix, meaning this year will be his ninth and last with the Japanese manufacturer.

Ducati has not won a MotoGP race since October 2010 and has just one title to its name, Casey Stoner's in '07.

Yamaha and Honda have now fielded the same riders since 2013, when Valentino Rossi returned to Yamaha and Marquez graduated from Moto2, and the Spaniard thinks his countryman's new challenge will be worth watching.

"It's important and it's good for the championship," he said.

"One of the top riders moving to another manufacturer always is a bit opportunity and also a new challenge for him.

"It will be interesting, for the other riders, for the fans, for everybody to see how Lorenzo and Ducati can do."

LCR Honda rider Crutchlow added that the element of unpredictability around the move - with Lorenzo to replace either Andrea Dovizioso or Andrea Iannone - is enhanced by the fact his move is to Ducati.

"It's fantastic for the sport, it's good for the fans and good for MotoGP," he said.

"It's good for people to see something different. Maybe he'll run away with the championship, maybe he'll finish 10th.

"I have no idea and that's the good thing about it.

"The riders that have been there for a while now, with no disrespect to them, I believe Lorenzo is better than them.

"But he's better on what he's on now. Does that mean he'll be better than them on the Ducati?

"Honestly I don't know because it's a difficult bike to learn to ride.

"When you get it right it's fantastic."

Crutchlow spent a single year with Ducati, in 2014, and believes that when riders do get the current Desmosedici right, it can be a "rocket".

"Even last year it was a proper motorcycle again," he said.

"That's not to say mine wasn't when I rode there, but the bike I started the year on was the bike I finished the year on.

"Straightline braking they give a little away now, but the way they're turning, the corner speed they can give and the way the engine is managed with the electronics seems better than the rest.

"They have a base now I believe that is working quite well."