MotoGP, Lorenzo: The podium? I was lucky

Honesty is not a quality on which Lorenzo is short, ready to admit his limits when he has them. This was the case with the Malaysian race where, in the rain, Jorge never found the right pace.

“I admit that I was lucky. Without the crashes, I would not have finished on the podium today. I did not have the pace to stay with the top 5”, he says.

Yesterday, the Majorcan was fast in the wet during qualifying, taking a spot on the front row.

“It’s true, but today there was a lot more water on the tarmac - he explains - In fact, I am pleased that Race Direction listened and decided to postpone the start. In the sighting lap, I risked falling a couple of times due to aquaplaning, but when we started the track was already safe.”

Lorenzo’s troubles with the Michelins, however, have not disappeared.

“I did not do a spectacular race - he acknowledges - but a podium in the rain is always a confidence booster. In these conditions, I have taken some steps forward lately, but still not enough to battle for the win.”

How did Dovizioso do it on Ducati, your next bike?

“Andrea deserved to win a race - he points out - The Ducati is progressing constantly and it is getting easier and easier to see  how competitive it is – definitely a good sign. However, this win did not surprise me because both Dovi and the Ducati have always been fast in the wet.”

You will have to wait a couple of weeks before you can get on the Desmosedici, but first you will have the final race with Yamaha and your overall third place to defend.

“I think that it is the right result for me, considering how much of a hand mistakes and hard luck had this year - he states – The Valencia race will be special. It will be my last with Yamaha after 9 years together. I’ll try to end this relationship with a win.”