Jorge Lorenzo has disclosed that during the 2015 MotoGP season, he secretly installed a cryosauna in his motorhome to gain an edge over his rival, Valentino Rossi, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the sport. This revelation sheds light on the intense rivalry and lengths riders like Lorenzo went to during one of MotoGP’s most debated championships, further deepening intrigue around the Jorge Lorenzo MotoGP secret 2015.
Lorenzo’s Covert Recovery Tactics
The rivalry between Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi remains legendary, with both riders pushing each other through a series of fierce title battles. The 2015 season, however, was particularly charged, culminating in Lorenzo securing his third MotoGP title amidst widespread controversy. Disputes flared as Rossi accused Marc Marquez of conspiring against him, casting a shadow over the championship and intensifying scrutiny on every aspect of the competition.
Unbeknownst to most in the paddock, Lorenzo had taken extraordinary steps to maintain peak physical condition throughout that campaign. In a recent interview, he recounted how he kept his cryosauna hidden from Rossi, even as their motorhomes were consistently parked side by side at the circuit. The device was intended to accelerate his physical recovery between sessions, offering him a vital advantage as he pursued the title.
“I’ll give you an example to illustrate the level of obsession I had: I bought a motorhome that could be dismantled to my liking, unlike the others that are standard; I could assemble it differently depending on my needs,”
Lorenzo shared. According to him, this flexibility allowed him to conceal the cryosauna, which reached temperatures as low as -180°C for three-minute post-session treatments.
Maintaining Secrecy Within the Paddock
Lorenzo explained the remarkable effort involved in keeping the cryosauna a secret from Rossi and virtually everyone else, including his own team. The process involved discreetly sourcing hydrogen needed to run the device, often requiring his assistant to travel significant distances near each town visited during the championship. This level of dedication underlines how competitive MotoGP riders can be, especially when the stakes include a world championship.
“I wanted to keep it a secret because they always parked Valentino’s motorhome next to me,”
Lorenzo admitted. He went so far as to instruct his assistant to position and install the device where it would be hidden not only from Rossi, but also from Rossi’s assistant and even Lorenzo’s own manager.
“I didn’t want anyone to know, not even my manager knew, all this just to keep it a secret and have a competitive advantage,”
he said, emphasizing the solitary nature of his preparations during that turbulent MotoGP season.
“I brought a doctor, a physiotherapist, everything, everything,”
Lorenzo stated, ensuring no detail was overlooked in his quest for recovery and strength.
“I did everything and invested everything to be stronger every day.”
– Jorge Lorenzo, rider
Impact on MotoGP and Lorenzo’s Career
The aftermath of 2015 continued to reverberate across MotoGP and within Yamaha’s team, especially as the manufacturer’s subdued reaction to Lorenzo’s world title fueled speculation about internal divisions. The Spaniard’s eventual departure from Yamaha, and subsequent move to Ducati in 2017, signaled the far-reaching consequences of that controversial season. After a period with Honda and battling injury, Lorenzo retired from MotoGP at the end of 2019.
Looking ahead, Lorenzo is not stepping away from the sport entirely. He is set to return to the paddock in a new capacity next year as a rider coach for Maverick Vinales, potentially bringing some of his fiercely earned experience to the next generation of competitors.
Lorenzo’s admission of the secret cryosauna in 2015 not only revisits fraught moments from an unforgettable title chase but also highlights the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines MotoGP at its highest level. As the anniversary of that season sparks renewed debate, the legacy of rivalry and innovation between riders like Lorenzo and Rossi continues to captivate motorsport fans worldwide.
