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MotoGP, Lorenzo: "I'm disappointed, sad, and worried"

"I'm having more trouble than with Ducati. The numbers tell it all. I'm a champion, and I hope that Honda has the same desire to solve problems."

MotoGP: Lorenzo: "I'm disappointed, sad, and worried"

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Jerez could have and should have been Jorge Lorenzo's lifeline. It was, the first year he was with Ducati, climbing onto the podium, but it didn't happen with Honda. The rider from Majorca and the RC213V are two parallel lines that still struggle to meet. A 12th place, more than 20 seconds behind Marquez, is the merciless photograph of the Spanish weekend for Lorenzo.

"I can't be happy after this race," he admitted. "The logical thing is to feel sad, disappointed, and worried. Just look at my face. I don't like giving it my all and being slow. I'm going through a difficult time, but the only possible mentality is to remain positive."

Did the 10th place in the qualifying session affect your race?
"Starting later, maybe I could have been faster in the early laps, but today I was slow even when I was riding alone. If you have the right speed, you can still recover, and today it didn't happen."

What's limiting you right now?
"I'm not confidence, especially in entering corners. The bike transfers too much weight to the front, and my arms get tired. Something needs to be changed in the chassis or in managing the engine brake because I don't feel safe, and I lose a lot compared to the other Honda riders at that point. I'm not just talking about Marquez but also about Crutchlow and Nakagami. Until I find a solution to this problem, I can't be fast."

Do you have to adapt your riding style to the Honda or vice versa?
"Surely, I can improve. I still learn something new every time I drive. However, on the other hand, we have to fix the bike so that it gives me more confidence. My fractured scaphoid doesn't bother me when riding. I still can't train as I would like to, from a muscular point-of-view, but that's not the problem."

Is it only a matter of time?
"There are bikes on which you immediately feel at ease as soon as you get in the seat, and others where you don't. There are riders who adapt quickly to changes and others don't. Obviously, I'm part of the second group.  I lost so many test days this winter, and I need more kilometers on the Honda. Let me be clear: I'm not giving up. I'm sure that I'll reach the level I want."

But you said you were worried...
"Because we haven't yet found the solution to the problem, but we’ve only run 4 races, and there are still 15 and another 19 next year. I have plenty of time to find my way, starting tomorrow when there will be important tests."

Is adapting to the Honda more difficult than to the Ducati?
"Yes, the numbers tell it all: the points in the rankings and my delay on the track. I'm having a very hard time, but there are so many worse off than me. I'm a champion, and I want to succeed in this enterprise. I hope Honda has the same desire as I do."

 

Translated by Leila Myftija
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