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MotoGP, Lorenzo: Without wings I can't yet ride as I want to

Jorge reveals: "It would be easier with the spoilers"; Dovizioso: "Now is the time to define the set-up"

MotoGP: Lorenzo: Without wings I can't yet ride as I want to

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Today's test didn't exactly go according to plan. Jorge Lorenzo is more than a second from the front in fact, closing outside of the top ten. His apprenticeship on the Ducati is not as easy as he'd expected in November, but he's still confident.

You were playing catch-up today.

“It was difficult because after two weeks I've lost a little of the knack. We used a new tyre at the rear, but that didn't help. In fact, I risked crashing at the end. We're aware we need to improve in several areas”.

What point are you at?

“Obviously we're not at the top yet, I have to understand the bike better and discover the limit”.

What are the obstacles?

“I have to focus on braking, the fast turns and also acceleration. The power gives me confidence along the straight. It's a pity about the wind, as I had little stability at the front”.

Do you notice the lack of wings?

It would be easy with the wings, particularly in braking. Now we're trying to work on the setting to reduce the gap”.

What's the GP17's strong point at Phillip Island?

“Its speed, undoubtedly”.

How do you view this one second gap?

“I can't ride the Ducati naturally, as I'd like to. In Malaysia I had wait almost two days, here it will take less time. I have faith in the fact that I've already reduced the gap from the leaders”.

Today you carried out some comparisons. What have you noticed?

“I can say that the new bike is better in some way, but it's not a big step forward. I'm trying to understand what to do”.

Andrea Dovizioso is ahead of Jorge. he set the eighth fastest time, closing ahead of Jack Miller and Jonas Folger.

“I'm quite pleased, I used the day to carry out frame comparison work. This is already the second test and we want to have a solid base for Qatar”.

You have clearer ideas now.

“There's an idea, not a definitive one yet. Tomorrow we'll work to define the set-up, so we have a better balance after this test. Sepang and Phillip Island are two different track, it would be great to have a setting that suits both”.

What does the GP17 still need?

“We know it's not perfect yet. We're suffering a little in terms of stability. We need to work on bike balance, seeing as today we focused on the frame”.

Are you more or less confident that you were at Sepang?

“In Malaysia I felt a little better. We still have two days, we also have material to test. I want to wait before making a final evaluation, leaving Phillip Island happy”.    

Translated by Heather Watson
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