Jorge Lorenzo seeks advice from Phillip Island and Ducati great Casey Stoner

JORGE Lorenzo has turned to the retired Aussie Casey Stoney for advice about mastering his new Ducati and how to tame the Phillip Island track.

MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo on a Ducati 1299 in Hosier Lane, Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

JORGE Lorenzo and Casey Stoner go back a long way. In 2004, the then young rivals shared the podium at Phillip Island in the 125cc class.

Stoner went on to be the undisputed king of Phillip Island, winner of six MotoGP races there in a row and, of course, two world championships.

Lorenzo too rose to the top, claiming three world titles in the premier class for Yamaha in 2010, 2012 and 2015.

The kids are all right. The 125cc podium at Phillip Island in 2004, from left, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner. Pic: AFP

Now the Spaniard, in his first year at Ducati, has turned to the retired Australian for advice about mastering the Italian bike and especially how to tame it around the Phillip Island track for this weekend’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Stoner is a test rider for the Ducati factory team, which also has Andrea Dovizioso challenging Marc Marquez for the 2017 crown.

Lorenzo said Stoner was one of the greats of the sport, and hoped to use his advice to propel him to the front of the field.

“You can always learn from someone like Casey,’’ Lorenzo said.

“This is the track which Casey rode the best rides of his career.

“I never tire to ask him questions. Some technical stuff or riding. About how he would consider some kind of corner, how to brake into the corner, to ride in mixed conditions.’’

Lorenzo, 30, is currently seventh in the MotoGP race and seeking to repeat his 2013 race win but the island’s notorious weather could play a role.

Jorge Lorenzo celebrates winning the 250cc race at Phillip Island in 2006.

The forecast for Sunday is cloudy and 17C but the wind from Bass Strait could also affect riders and bikes.

Lorenzo, now a Tissot athlete and in Melbourne relaxing before heading to the island, has been a competitive racer for half of his life.

Jorge Lorenzo leads the field during the MotoGP race at Twin Ring Motegi on Sunday. Pic: Getty Images

He made his championship debut on his 15th birthday in his home Grand Prix in the 125cc class, after famously missing practice the day before because he was still 14.

Lorenzo played down the rivalry with Italian great Valentino Rossi while teammates at Yamaha last year.

“It’s always very difficult to have a great relationship with someone you compete with on the track and you’re trying to beat and he’s trying to beat you.

“It’s even more difficult when you have two champions and are very proud and we are teammates and we have the same bike.’’

AUSTRALIAN Broc Parkes has been confirmed as a replacement for the ill Jonas Folger on the Tech3 Yamaha for the Australian round of the MotoGP this weekend.

FOX SPORTS will show every practice, qualifying session and race from the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix LIVE and ad-break free from lights out to the chequered flag.

Originally published as Jorge Lorenzo seeks advice from Phillip Island and Ducati great Casey Stoner