MotoGP Misano Private test Jorge Lorenzo: “I think no Ducati rider has ever done 1'31 on this track”

The Misano circuit welcomed the official Ducati, Yamaha and Aprilia teams this Sunday, as well as the LCR and Marc VDS teams for Honda.

Let us first of all give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, these are our colleagues from GPone who brought us a flood of information on this day dominated by Jorge Lorenzo.

The latter, during his 72 laps completed, indeed managed to approach his own circuit record established in 2016 with his Yamaha in 1'31.868, and does not fail to underline it.

Jorge Lorenzo : “Every time I'm on the bike I have more experience and I can get closer to the limit. I managed to set very fast times considering the great heat and the track conditions, both with new tires and with used tires. I don't think any Ducati rider has ever done 1'31 on this track; It’s very interesting and I think we’ve found a very good basis for the GP.”

With his experience, the pilot from Mallorca knows, however, that the truth of one day is not necessarily that of the next...

“Everything changes from one day to the next, today it went well but in three weeks it could be completely different. The important thing is that we are in very good shape. When you ride the same motorcycle for several years, you can get the most out of it, but also develop bad habits that don't allow you to go fast when you change. The difference between the Yamaha and the Ducati is very big, and what took me the most time to be strong, but when I understood some things I was as fast as before. We have had a few difficult Grands Prix, at Assen and Sachsenring, and there are surely some circuits where we will still suffer, like at Phillip Island, but on the others we will have the potential to at least fight for the podium. My goal is to win as many races as possible and fight for second place in the standings. The title is not impossible, but it is difficult. I want to think race by race.”

Michele Pirro, who will participate in the race as a wild card, was also on track with a third Desmosedici GP18 from the Ducati Test Team. The Italian, who set a best time of 1'33.5 during his 74 laps, will continue testing at the Misano circuit over the next two days.

Unofficial times, source GPone:

1. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) 1'31.9
2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 1'32.5
3. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 1'33.1
4. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 1'33.2
4. Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) 1'33.4
5. Aleix Espargarò (Aprilia) 1'33.5
6. Scott Redding (Aprilia) 1'33.8