Jorge Lorenzo’s debut in MotoGP

Best rookie time in Valencia, Lorenzo had more difficulty in Sepang where his runner-up Dovizioso stole the show. But nothing to disconcert Rossi’s new teammate, who intends to work hard and progress step by step !

The two-time 250 world champion, who is discovering the MotoGP category, readily admits that "it’s not that easy as expected"… Best time of the" beginner "pilots during the tests of Valence (read), the fantastic Mallorcan pilot experienced more difficulties in Sepang, where his runner-up Andrea Dovizioso stole the show (read)…

But it would take more to disconcert Valentino Rossi’s new teammate: far from his usual arrogance, Jorge Lorenzo intends to work hard and progress step by step !

Being promoted to the premier class factory pilot at only 20 years old, alongside one of the most charismatic stars of the plateau, The Doctor himself, is certainly enough to put a little pressure: in fact, the native of Palma de Mallorca has chosen a modest approach to its new status. No pretentious statements or goals of glory, but a humility that we did not know in the driver who won nine Grands Prix 250 this season. "I don’t aim to win races in 2008, or even in 2009", warns Lorenzo:"what i want is to learn and improve with each race".

Without fuss therefore, the official Fiat Yamaha completed many laps during the Valencia tests, in order to familiarize himself with a 4-stroke motorcycle radically opposed to his RSW Aprilia: his 11th time 1.5 seconds behind Stoner places him in the lead of the "beginners" and proves the potential of the young Iberian pilot.

Last week in Sepang, Lorenzo found himself 2.051 sec from Hayden and if his time puts him ahead of Toseland, his rival Andrea Dovizioso stuck him more than half a second on the lap. !

The Italian rider of the JIR-Scot team seems to have adapted more quickly than him to the subtleties of driving a MotoGP … at least this time! "The 800 is a strange motorcycle"explains Lorenzo:"you have to be precise and have great sensitivity. There’s a lot of electronics, but you still have to be very careful with the go-around. I’m good in long, fast turns, but I have more problems on slow turns. I still have a typical 250 driving style. By comparing my telemetry with that of Valentino in Valencia, we could see that I was much faster than him in curves, but that he took me back tenths by tenths in few meters", specifies n ° 48 who has a good hare within reach of the box to progress !

However, due to the obligation for Yamaha to separate the boxes of its two pilots – imposed by the use of different tire manufacturers – the Spaniard will soon be able to count only on himself and on the help of the satellite pilots. Tech 3 (Colin Edwards and James Toseland) to develop the M1 equipped with Michelin…

A combination that was not really efficient in 2007 and which must imperatively improve in 2008: "it is certain that we are lagging behind our competitors"Lorenzo admits."In Valencia, I used the "ex-Edwards" bike, but at Sepang I was able to test the 2008 prototype. There are differences in the chassis and engine, similar to those used by Valentino in the last races. . There is still a lot of work and I think that in January we will have an exact vision of what 2008 will be like", estimates the pilot, also a fan of the" Rocky "saga: this legendary action film, where Sylvester Stallone himself shows courage and self-sacrifice to reach the top, inspires Jorge Lorenzo who likes to take up challenges arduous.

In the Aprilia fold in 2005, Jorge then justifies his choice by explaining that if a Honda 250 is easier to control, the brutal engine character of Aprilia suits him better! A philosophy that has not left him since, since recently questioned about his fears vis-à-vis his new machine, the double world champion did not fail to recall that "the more difficult the machines are to control, the more they suit me".

A precious asset for the young Spanish hopeful, especially when we know that Rossi himself finds the M1 difficult to adjust and sensitive to the slightest change in track conditions….

Alexandre BARDIN – Photos DR

Related articles

• Valencia GP – MotoGP riders’ reactions to Jorge Lorenzo’s departure –

  MotoGP riders’ reactions to Jorge Lorenzo’s departure Jorge Lorenzo’s withdrawal from motorcycle competition has been at the center of all discussions…

• Races – Report and results of the MotoGP Italian GP 2018 (Lorenzo winner) –

  2018 MotoGP Italian GP report and results ( Lorenzo winner) Incredible Jorge Lorenzo! Mallorcan wins his first official Ducati race at Mugello, on his…

• MotoGP – Interview Ben Spies: Lorenzo is the big favorite this year! – Ben Spies presents his HJC R-PHA 10 Replica helmet

  Ben Spies interview: Lorenzo is the big favorite this year ! Ben Spies took a stroll in Paris on Saturday before presenting his HJC R-PHA 10 Replica…

• MotoGP – Marquez sanctioned: Lorenzo is not joking at all! –

  Marquez sanctioned: Lorenzo is not joking at all ! Jorge Lorenzo, second in the 2013 MotoGP general classification with 39 points behind Marc Marquez,…

• MotoGP – Lorenzo and Rossi dominate MotoGP test day in Brno – Behind MotoGP 2016 Top 3

  Lorenzo and Rossi dominate MotoGP test day in Brno The holidays are well over for the MotoGP riders who, after racing two weekends in a row, were treated…

• MotoGP – Lorenzo on pole in Barcelona for 13 thousandths! –

  Lorenzo on pole in Barcelona for 13 thousandths ! Under a blazing sun and a temperature of 38 ° C (!), Jorge Lorenzo signed the third pole position of…

• Analysis – MotoGP Valencia GP – Lorenzo (retirement): “If we had caught Zarco and Pedrosa, I would certainly have let Dovizioso pass” –

  MotoGP Valencia GP – Lorenzo (retirement): If we had caught up with Zarco and Pedrosa, I would have certainly let Dovizioso pass Victim of a fall during…

• Analyzes – Argentinian MotoGP GP – Lorenzo: “I had a good feeling with the bike” … – Used DUCATI

  Argentinian GP MotoGP – Lorenzo: I had a good feeling with the bike … Distant eleventh in Qatar, Jorge Lorenzo hoped to bounce back in Argentina for…

• Analysis – San Marino MotoGP GP – Lorenzo (crash): “The victory was playable” –

  San Marino MotoGP GP – Lorenzo (crash): The victory was playable Jorge Lorenzo records his second white result in thirteen races in Misano (after the one…

• Analyzes – MotoGP British GP – Lorenzo (5th): “I managed to manage the throttle well and preserve the tires” –

  British GP MotoGP – Lorenzo (5th): I managed to manage the gas well and preserve the tires 5th at the start, 5th at the finish of the GP of Great Britain…