#DutchGP J.2 Jorge Lorenzo “The feeling with the bike was worse just at the most important moment”

After a decent first day of testing, Lorenzo completely missed his qualification. He only managed to achieve the eleventh beat of Q1, which will mean he starts this Sunday from twenty-first place on the starting grid.

The Dutch weekend could have started better for Lorenzo, who barely got on his Desmosedici on Friday morning and was already on the ground after falling on oil left on the track by the broken engine of his teammate's GP17 Andrea Dovizioso. Fortunately he did not get injured and closed the session in ninth position, 0.475 behind the other GP17 of Danilo Petrucci.

The afternoon was less brilliant for the lively Majorcan who only managed to set the fourteenth time. The performance was too modest to ensure direct qualification in Q2, and if it rained on Saturday morning during FP3, Jorge would have to go through Q1 to hope to appear on one of the first four rows.

On Saturday morning, Lorenzo ranked second among the Ducati riders in the wet, preceded only byHector Barbera. It was quite positive because he had never driven a Desmosedici in the wet at the Circuit van Drenthe. His eighth performance overall could therefore logically give him confidence for Q1, although he was pitted against opponents who were renowned on a wet track and had nothing to lose, a bit like Jack Miller here in 2016.

During Q1, Jorge only set the eleventh fastest time, which will mean he starts this Sunday from twenty-first place on the grid, with only two drivers behind him.

For Jorge Lorenzo, “ Once again, today was a difficult day, as we found the worst possible conditions and the feeling with the bike was worse just when it mattered most.

“I had no grip in the corners, either when I was at maximum angle or when I was accelerating, I couldn't push hard in the rain in Q1.

“Tomorrow morning, we will have to prepare the bike well during the warm-up, which should be dry, then try to start the race well and find the right rhythm which will allow us to make a good comeback in the race. »

Qualification results:

1. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 46.141
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 46.206s +0.065
3. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 46.526s +0.385
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 46.705s +0.564
5. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 47.574s +1.433
6. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 47.663s +1.522
7. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 47.812s +1.671
8. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 48.042s +1.901
9. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 48.079s +1.938
10. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 1m 48.128s +1.987
11. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 48.266s +2.125
12. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 49.623s +3.482
13. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 47.217
14. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 47.234
15. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 47.277
16. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 47.649
17. Alex Rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 47.804
18. Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 47.947
19. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 47.957
20. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 48.080
21. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 48.219
22. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 48.448
23. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 48.700