This post-race press conference of the Italian Grand Prix brought together Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi.
As usual, we report here our translation of the entirety of the words of Jorge Lorenzo, without journalistic formatting or distortion.
Jorge Lorenzo : “you know, there has been a lot of criticism over the last year and a half. A lot of suffering, many hours of difficult training with my trainer Iván and all my personal staff, Albert, Claudio. And finally this dream came true. Yesterday I said it would be a dream and finally I did it. I did it with determination. I finally had some pieces that gave me confidence, and I was able to demonstrate that what I was saying was true. I won my first victory with Ducati! »
You have won 5 world titles and you have not always shown such emotion…
“On Movistar television I said it was the happiest day of my life, but maybe I said that too quickly because my first MotoGP title in 2010 was unique. It was the first time. There was also the first victory in 125 and the first victory in MotoGP. So just this specific victory is definitely in the top 3, with Brazil in 2003 and Estoril in 2008. It's a very happy moment. "I was just focused on getting back to the garage to celebrate with my team, and that's all I'll be dealing with for the next 5, 7 or 10 hours."
At what point during the weekend did you realize you could win the race?
“Honestly, I feel better than ever on this bike. Physically, I have more energy to maintain a steady pace for more laps, with these tank changes. But I was very worried about the front tire because maybe other bikes destroyed their front tire less, which would be an advantage for them. So I completely changed my riding style to save this front tire. I probably made the biggest style change of my life between testing and racing. And it worked very well. It worked very well because after the race I looked at my front tire and it was much better than I expected. In the end, I used my head, I was very focused not to make any mistakes and I was able to have enough energy to continue attacking until the last lap.”
How have you changed your riding style?
“It depends on the track. Here we had some graining problems, but I think that was the case for everyone because of the characteristics of the asphalt. During the test in Montmélo, we didn't have any and this gives you a boost in the possibility of attacking more throughout the race without having to moderate your passing speed on this side (right). So I just changed the way I drive in the right turns, but I can't explain much more to you."
Do you think this result could have an influence on your future?
“Now it’s very difficult to say that. But before, it was difficult to believe in Jorge Lorenzo when the results were not good, and to believe that what I was saying, what I needed, was true. There weren't many people who believed it, or rather it wasn't all the people who believed it. But I'm not saying excuses. People think that sometimes I make excuses, I always tell the truth. When I make a mistake I say I made a mistake, you can see that in past interviews. When I say I need something, it's true. And I demonstrated it again. When Ducati finally gave me these modifications on the bike, with my method, when a lot of people said it was impossible to win with the Ducati with my method, I won. I never lie ! And I hope that from now on people will believe my words more.
On the one hand, my heart is very happy with this victory, very very happy, but on the other hand, it is sad because I believe that if I had had these changes much earlier, I would currently be able to say that I continue with Ducati. But I can’t tell you that.”
A very nice little anecdote follows…
We ask Jorge Lorenzo what this polo shirt is hanging under his helmet. He explains that it is the jersey of the gondoliers of Venice, where he carried out an event promotion before the Grand Prix.
Valentino Rossi : “the problem now is that you will have to go to Venice before each race (laughs). It will be difficult.”
Jorge Lorenzo : “If I go with a pretty girl, I agree. But we can also go together. Two couples.”
Valentino Rossi : " OK. Well done ! »
The two men look at each other and shake hands to the applause of the room.
Apart from the fuel tank, were there other modifications that allowed you to have a better feeling with the Ducati?
“No, just that. Only the part that Ducati brought to Jerez; It helped me with my driving. No more tank this weekend. Only this ".
In what area does this tank help you: during heavy braking, when entering corners, where?
“The ergonomics of last year's bike were different. The tank was slightly taller and had a different shape. To build the new chassis they probably had to modify the ergonomics and the tank. The other riders didn't feel any difference but from the start I said that I had less support and that it made me more tired when braking. Since the Buriram test! But, they probably believed me but they couldn't make it any different. During the test in Montmelo, we tested a part to prepare a new one, and finally something big happened here, and I could feel the difference much more, and since Friday I have been saying that it is something... 'important. This gives me the opportunity to relax my arms more and save my energy, especially when braking.”
This is the first race where you have two new chassis that are supposed to help the bike turn better. Did this also contribute to the victory?
“I'm not really sure of the benefit of the new chassis. I feel like it's slightly better, but I'm not really sure. They are very similar and I don't think that made a difference today. It was more because of the other pieces.”
Do you still need to use the rear thumb brake to help the motorcycle turn?
" Yes ! »
So the main problem today for many riders seemed to be the front tire?
“Well, I also had tire problems. Otherwise, I would have been in 47.5 instead of 48.1 or 48.2. Clearly, the track was very fast but very slippery after the Moto2 race, and everyone had problems. That was the trap today. I completely changed my riding style during the race and it worked. It gave me a new experience for the future, to give the maximum with this bike.”
During your last lap, when you knew you were going to win the race, how did you feel?
“It was difficult to be 100% happy. I knew it was a magical moment, a very good moment, to win with Ducati on Ducati land. But I was so focused on not making any mistakes with these tricky track conditions and after 23 laps, with your heart beating at 100 miles an hour, it's very difficult to relax and enjoy the race. 'moment. But of course I was happy, and I will be even happier in an hour (laughs).”
Among all your victories, where does this one rank?
“Winning with Ducati at Mugello is a dream. It's very special. But winning a race in MotoGP after a year and a half without a victory, after a lot of difficult moments, after long moments where you see that the results don't come, where you work hard again and again and the results don't come, where it There are many reviews, where people say you will never win with this bike, and finally you do it with this (head), it's incredible! This is an example of strong mental determination, pride and never giving up. We can do things if we keep working. In the end, we can make them happen.”
Italian Grand Prix Mugello MotoGP J.3: Ranking
1 99 Jorge LORENZO Ducati 41'43.230
2 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati +6.370
3 46 Valentino ROSSI Yamaha +6.629
4 29 Andrea IANNONE Suzuki +7.885
5 42 Alex RINS Suzuki +7.907
6 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW Honda +9.120
7 9 Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati +10.898
8 25 Maverick VIÑALES Yamaha +11.060
9 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA Ducati +11.154
10 5 Johann ZARCO Yamaha +17.644
11 44 Pol ESPARGARO KTM +20.256
12 55 Hafizh SYAHRIN Yamaha +22.435
13 53 Tito RABAT Ducati +22.464
14 38 Bradley SMITH KTM +22.495
15 21 Franco MORBIDELLI Honda +26.644
16 93 Marc MARQUEZ Honda +39.311
17 10 Xavier SIMEON Ducati +1'01.211
18 30 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda 5 Tours
Unclassified
41 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia 4 Tours
43 Jack MILLER Ducati 22 Tours
12 Thomas LUTHI Honda 22 Tours
Did not finish the first round
26 Dani PEDROSA Honda 0 Lap
17 Karel ABRAHAM Ducati 0 Tour
45 Scott REDDING Aprilia 0 Tour
Photo credit: MotoGP.com
