It’s a Jorge Lorenzo with finally the smile that ended the first day of the Grand Prix this year. The last three accomplished away from Europe served him a soup of grimace which was not on the menu of a route of Jerez which he adores. Unlike his Ducati. But the two managed to combine and here they are fourth at the end of FP2. Not bad. But it is still more than eight tenths behind Pedrosa leader.
A significant gap which could mean painful tomorrows. But what is taken is no longer to be taken and Por Fuera savors this positive performance the day after his 30th birthday: “ I feel better riding with worn tires and with new rubber I was able to set a good time » comments the one who holds the Jerez track record. “ However, the lap was not perfect and we have a good margin for improvement. But we are happy with this progress. The bike is still too nervous, we calm it down little by little. And compare to other Ducatis, we are better than before. It's a good sign ».
A better face than the Majorcan explains: “ I'm using the rear brake more and more, but it still needs work because I've never driven like that in nine years. It is a technique that must be assimilated to gain traction. That said, it allows me to relieve my forearms because I put less load on the front of the bike. Sliding through the corner isn't natural for me, but I'm making progress ».
« Our strong point remains the engine even if it is not as decisive here as in Qatar or Argentina for example. Now, the hairpins at Jerez happen in second gear, which is less of a handicap than at Austin. I enjoyed driving today even if I didn't have the best time. The track is grippy too and that gives me confidence. I can no longer attack and I think it showed from the outside ».
Jorge Lorenzo ahead of his teammate Dovizioso by two tenths, which is a good reference. Ducati's only victory at Jerez can be attributed to Loris Capirossi in 2006, who started from pole position. Since the Italian brand has only been on the podium once, it was in 2011 with Nicky Nayden. On the other hand, Jorge Lorenzo claims five successes on this route. Alone Red, with eight goals, did better than him.
#SpanishGP J.1: MotoGP Chronos
1. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 39.420s [Lap 17/20] 286km/h (Top Speed)
2. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 39.964s +0.544s [18/20] 284km/h
3. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 40.045s +0.625s [16/19] 285km/h
4.
Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 40.291s +0.871s [17/20] 289km/h
5. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 40.378s +0.958s [18/19] 287km/h
6. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 40.379s +0.959s [16/16] 284km/h
7. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 40.392s +0.972s [19/21] 288km/h
8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 40.428s +1.008s [16/18] 289km/h
9. Alex Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 40.479s +1.059s [17/17] 283km/h
10. Espargaro Pol ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 40.573s +1.153s [15/15] 287km/h
11. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 40.639s +1.219s [17/19] 286km/h
12. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 40.698s +1.278s [20/20] 286km/h
13. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 40.773s +1.353s [20/20] 286km/h
14. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 40.915s +1.495s [18/19] 284km/h
15. Johann zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 41.019s +1.599s [17/17] 286km/h
16. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
1m 41.165s +1.745s [18/19] 285km/h
17. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 41.165s +1.745s [19/20] 282km/h
18. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 41.432s +2.012s [20/20] 284km/h
19. Takuya Tsuda JPN Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
1m 41.887s +2.467s [18/19] 281km/h
20. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)*
1m 41.905s +2.485s [16/18] 282km/h
21. Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 41.909s +2.489s [14/16] 286km/h
22. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 42.515s +3.095s [10/19] 280km/h
23. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 42.630s +3.210s [17/17] 289km/h
