Ex-250cc rider Alex Debon joins Jorge Lorenzo's coaching team

Former 250cc racer Alex Debon has joined the coaching team of Ducati MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo for 2018.  

Triple MotoGP champion Lorenzo endured a difficult first season with Ducati in 2017, finishing a lowly seventh in the championship and scoring just three podium finishes as team-mate Andrea Dovizioso narrowly lost out in a close title battle with honda's Marc Marquez.  

Debon has already started working with Lorenzo, joining the Spaniard's entourage for last month's Valencia and Jerez post-season tests.  

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro was assigned to Lorenzo as a coach this year, but the Italian's wildcard races and CIV Superbike commitments prevented him performing his duties at some events.  

Debon will be present at every MotoGP race in 2018 and will work alongside Pirro.  

Debon (below) made 152 starts in the 250cc/Moto2 category between 1998 and 2010, scoring two victories and a best championship placing of fourth in 2008.

He was also test rider for Aprilia's 250cc project in 2006 and 2007, with Lorenzo winning the title both years under the leadership of Ducati's current technical boss, Gigi Dall'Igna.