Jorge Lorenzo paid Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi a huge complimen♔t during the Misano pre-event press conference on Thursday.

When the ri♊ders were asked tඣo choose between motorcycle grand prix legends Mike Hailwood or Giacomo Agostini, the reigning double world champion replied:

"Is it possible to ℱsay Valentino? I didn't see either Hailwood or Agostini race, but I know Giacomo... and so I would say Giacomo.

"But also I have the honour to r♏ace Valentino and for me Valentino is one of the greatest. So if I could choose one of these three, I would say Valentino."

Lorenzo and Rossi endured a fr🔥osty relationship as team-mates between 2008-2010, but have formed a much more amiable partnership since the Italian's Yamaha return in 2013.

Rossi, after tha🐼nking Lorenzo, answered as follows: "I am older than the other guys but still not enough to see Ago and Hailwood race. D🐻ifficult question. Ago won more but for a lot of people Hailwood was the man who made more difference. But because I am Italian, I will say Agostini!"

Agostini holds the all-time record for grand prꦺix titles, with a total of 15 in the 500cc and 350cc classes between 1966 and 1977. Agostini's eight 500cc crowns mean he is the only rider with more♏ premier-class titles than Rossi.

Briton Hailwood, who Rossi previouꦉsly paid tribute to upon matching his 76 GPs in 2005, claimed nine world titles between 1961 and 1967 ( 4 x 500cc, 2 x 350cc and 2 x 250cc).