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Fourth place, the best of the Ducati riders. This is the outcome of the last Saturday of the season for Jorge Lorenzo, who demonstrated outstanding performance on what remains one of his favourite tracks, as well as the one where he earned his most recent world title. All, however, tainted by a crash, which is where Jorge begins his analysis.
“On the lap when I crashed I was very closed to Marc and in the last sector I was consistently fast, so I would have been able to overtake him or at least been second. I had mounted a medium tyre on the front and then I put on the soft in the second run, but I overdid the lean and the brakes by a bit, so I ended up on the ground. So I got on the second bike, but I didn’t find any particular confidence.”
That aside, in any case, number 99’s words convey conviction.
“I have good confidence with the front end. The problem is the tyres: they often do not provide the same performance. I hope that at least tomorrow they will perform well. Fourth place is positive for the start, so all that’s left now is to hope to be in a good position on the first turn.”
Obviously, Jorge could play an important role in the final duel between Marquez and Dovi, having the potential to stay in the first group.
“My pace is similar to Marc’s and he could be nervous and try not to make mistakes. Zarco and Iannone will also certainly be in the first group, as will Andrea, despite the fact that he struggled a bit. The strategy? To start well and, if I’m out front, to set my pace, and then we’ll see. If I’m first, if Dovi is in the first group and Marc has a problem, I’d keep an eye on my pit board and the dashboard.”
However, setting aside strategy for a moment, it is impossible for Jorge not to wonder whether this might be the right chance to battle with Marquez and not for the win.
“Marquez would be more dangerous with a clear mind, so without needing to think about not making mistakes. I have the serenity of not gambling anything and that could help me.”
For a moment, the Majorcan puts himself in his teammate’s shoes and he analyses the situation.
“Dovi’s problem is that Marc is very fast, whereas he will need to catch up tomorrow. There are a lot of fast riders and the only thing he can do is ride a fast and consistent race, trying to take the win in the finale and hoping that Marc has some problem; right now we are 90% to 10% for Marc as far as the title chances go.”
