MotoGP #SepangTest J.3 Jorge Lorenzo in total domination

It was late in the morning, almost in the middle of the day, that Lorenzo set the best time ever achieved on the Sepang circuit, worrying a little about possible rain in the afternoon. With a fantastic time of 1'58.839, Jorge bettered the test record of 1'59.053 set by Dani Pedrosa in 2015, but also the test record of 1'58.867 by Marc Marquez in 2015 as well. Lorenzo achieved his record time with a very high temperature (around 35°) and with one of the new Michelin front tires.

Jorge's chronometric evolution over these three days was as follows: Third on the first day, 0.375 behind Dani Pedrosa, Jorge moved to fourth on the second day, 0.143 behind Maverick Vinales, to finally close the third and final day. in first position with a new unofficial record.

Jorge Lorenzo:

“This lap time proves that our new bike is working, it gives me a good feeling. The Ducati has been improved in many areas compared to 2017 and the old bike.

“The Ducati now suits my riding style better, I can benefit from my strengths. We're starting to understand how to get the most out of this bike. There is still room for improvement.

“But for the first test nothing better can happen than the best overall time after three days. I was always on top, we always had a constant rhythm.

“It wasn't a perfect ride because we had to try something in the morning, when the temperatures were still cool before 10 or 11 a.m. When I had the best time after an hour and a half, the track was very hot. The handling was not perfect, the engine was no longer in the best condition because of the heat. But it was a good ride. We cannot deny it. »

The new Michelin front tires? “ We tried different blends, the feeling was similar. We haven't decided yet what we like the most. »

Is the new Ducati close to the bike that Jorge wanted from Ducati engineers in winter? “ Yes, we are getting closer, but we are always striving to improve the bike in cooperation with the engineers, but I am proud of our team, they have done a great job since Valencia. »

“Gigi Dall'Igna and her troupe deserve our respect, but the work never ends. »

“I will never be able to ride the Ducati the same way I did with my previous bike. Because they are two completely different machines.

“You can feel it with the engine, you can feel it with the chassis. The tires also change...I'm stronger in some areas with the Ducati, in other areas I was better with the other bike. But overall I drove faster today than ever before with any other brand. It's something to be proud of. »

MotoGP #SepangTest J.3: Chronos

1. Jorge Lorenzo, Ducati, 1:58,830 min 
2. Dani Pedrosa, Honda, + 0,179 sec
3. Cal Crutchlow, Honda, +0,222
4. Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati, +0,339
5. Jack Miller, Ducati, 0,516+
6 Alex Rins, Suzuki, +0,518
7. Marc Marquez, Honda, +0,552
8. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, +0.619
9. Johann Zarco, Yamaha, +0.681
10. Danilo Petrucci, Ducati, +0.698
11. Tito Rabat, Ducati, +0.717
12. Andrea Iannone, Suzuki, +0.785
13. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia, + 1.132
14. Takaaki Nakagami, Honda, +1.241
15. Alvaro Bautista, Ducati, + 1.375
16. Mika Kallio KTM +1,634
17. Franco Morbidelli, Honda, +1 696
18 Maverick Vinales, Yamaha, +1,717
19. Karel Abraham, Ducati, + 1.744
20. Xavier Siméon, Ducati, + 1.954
21. Scott Redding Aprilia + 1.982
22. Bradley Smith, KTM, +2.139
23. Sylvain Guintoli, Suzuki, +2
24. Tom Lüthi, Honda, +2
25. Yonny Hernandez, Yamaha, +2

MotoGP #SepangTest: Combined times of the 3 days

1. Jorge Lorenzo, Ducati, 1:58,830 min 
2. Dani Pedrosa, Honda, + 0,179 sec
3. Cal Crutchlow, Honda, +0,222
4. Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati, +0,339
5. Jack Miller, Ducati, 0,516+
6 Alex Rins, Suzuki, +0,518
7. Maverick Vinales, Yamaha, +0,525
8. Marc Marquez, Honda, +0,552
9. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, +0,560
10. Johann Zarco, Yamaha, +0.681
11. Danilo Petrucci, Ducati, +0.698
12. Tito Rabat, Ducati, +0.717
13. Andrea Iannone, Suzuki, +0.785
14. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia, + 1,095
15. Takaaki Nakagami, Honda, +1.241
16. Alvaro Bautista, Ducati, 1,375+
17 poles Espargaró, KTM, + 1
18. Mika Kallio KTM +1,634
19. Bradley Smith, KTM, +1.690
20. Franco Morbidelli, Honda, +1.696
21. Karel Abraham, Ducati, + 1.744
22. Xavier Siméon, Ducati, + 1.954
23. Scott Redding, Aprilia + 1.982
24. Sylvain Guintoli, Suzuki, + 2.290
25. Tom Lüthi, Honda, + 2.296
26. Yonny Hernandez, Yamaha, +2.393
27. Michele Pirro, Ducati, 5,937

Reference times:

Test record: 1'59.053 by Dani Pedrosa (Honda) in 2015

Lap record: 2'00.606 by Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) in 2015

Test record: 1'58.867 by Marc Marquez (Honda) on February 6, 2015

 

Photos © Ducati