You are here

MotoGP, Lorenzo: "The important changes will come later"

#99 also refers back to Sunday's race: "I'm calm, I'm sorry for those who watched the race and didn't understand"

MotoGP: Lorenzo: "The important changes will come later"

Share


The Valencia tests have kicked off the 2018 season in the Ducati camp too. Jorge Lorenzo spent the session working on some new components brought to the track by the Borgo Panigale team. As well as the material, there was also a second bike with some 2018 evolutions. At the end of the session, the Majorcan was in eighth place, ahead of the KTM of Pol Espargarò. 

I have to say that it's been a very interesting day, it's been useful to test the material – starts #99 - I too used the new fork, and I had positive sensations.

Ducati made a second bike available, one with some new 2018 components. The same also used by Dovizioso  

I haven't spoken to Andrea about these new details. But I have to say that the new bike allows me to be faster in certain sections, others less so”.

2018 is already here, and another new feature is the limited testing time. Lorenzo is not happy about this.

Last year Ducati had to remove the wings, now they want to take test days away from us because we are competitive”.

There was also a new frame in the Ducati garage.

I'd say semi-new rather than new We carried out a comparison and now know which direction to take. Tomorrow we'll use the final day to improve on corner entry whilst also making the bike smoother. The important changes will come later.

There is also mention of the #99 rider's race conduct on Sunday.  

I'm really laid back about it. I'm sorry for those who only watch the race from outside, without perhaps looking at race pace over the weekend”.

Andrea Dovizioso was not focusing on lap times on this first day of testing at Valencia. it's also true that the fastest Ducati was Jack Miller, but the Italian preferred to work on other aspects and is smiling at the end of the day.

We tested a new fork and have been able to take a step forward. I think it's a positive, particularly in terms of confidence. I also had the second bike, which had some modification in light of 2018. I was actually able to be more consistent with that bike than I was during the race. It's also true that conditions were good today though”.

An important aspect for the Borgo Panigale rider.

When conditions are good, it's easier to be fast during tests. I don't think lap times have any real value though. We'll continue to work on the set-up, but we don't have anything special”.

Translated by Heather Watson
__

Related articles