Jorge Lorenzo thought he had had his worst race in the Netherlands in 2014. A performance ended pitifully in an anonymous thirteenth place after a ninth qualifying place. But 2016 showed that the worst is still to come. Starting tenth, the Majorcan ended his ordeal in the same position thanks to numerous retirements. And again, he pushed himself to see the finish, because the three-time World Champion did not hide the fact that he wanted to return home before the end of the Grand Prix.
A confession to Lorenzo, in all its transparency, its candor and its enormity. In 2014, he admitted his fear on a track which had made him physically suffer in the same wet conditions in 2013. Since then, we thought the evil had been exorcised. But nay. It is still well anchored in the man who then takes over the pilot who truly sinks: “during the first race, I was slower and slower, I didn't feel safe, I couldn't see anything. To avoid falling I had to slow down again. I was far from everyone. I was 19rd, I had no points to gain, I was taking risks for nothing and I thought about going into the pits and stopping. Fortunately, I didn't do it and I was able to leave ».
Leave again yes, but for the same hell: “ during the second part, with the soft tires and a less wet track, I was better but I remained one of the slowest drivers. I was with Viñales and Laverty and the only thing I was trying to do was not to fall. I did my best, I pushed, but the bike kept sending me signals informing me that I was at the limit. Reaching the finish was all I could have hoped for. And if I gained places, it's because there were dropouts ».
Now with a Red playing the win in front with the same bike, we must understand the reasons for this wreck. Another breakdown in morale? Por Fuera has another idea: “ I think it comes from my feelings with the front. My riding style is mainly based on the front of the bike and I therefore suffer more than the others when I am not comfortable with the front tire that I use when braking and due to my position on the bike. . Upon arrival, I inspected my tire and it was like new. I am not able to instantly change my driving style, especially when entering turns. ».
He adds : " when I have grip on the front, I can be the fastest of all, I demonstrated it for example at Motegi. But otherwise, I may find myself last ". A clear message that must be taken into account at Ducati. In passing, Jorge Lorenzo perfectly exposed his limits.
Here he is now 24 points from a Marc Márquez second in the race but winner with a view to the world title: “ it could have been worse » reassures the Spaniard. “ I could, for example, have crashed like Rossi and gotten no points. I was the slowest, but I scored six important points. I already lost a title by four points in 2013. At Le Mans, I was 20 points behind. At Montmélo I lost nine or ten points, but there I gained six. We'll see next time on soft tires in the rain. Everyone is at the limit, everyone can make mistakes and score nothing. Like Rossi today ».
But what is the objective and who is the designated adversary of Lorenzo this season ?
