Sepang J2 mid-day tests: Jorge Lorenzo very motivated

Although he will not ride until next Monday, the new leader of the Ducati team is already present in the Sepang stands this week to follow the evolution of the Desmosedici, under the eyes of its designer Luigi Dall'Igna and with Casey Stoner and Michele Pirro succeeding each other at the helm.

Jorge's assiduous presence in the boxes is tangible proof of his great motivation, and his desire to put everything on his side to get on the podium this year, and more if he likes.

It was in 2002 that little Lorenzo discovered Sepang on a 125 Derbi, finishing twentieth in a GP won by Arnaud Vincent ahead of Lucio Cecchinello and Dani Pedrosa. He progressed like a cannonball to third place the following year, behind Pedrosa and Kallio. Bingo in 2006 in 250, with his first victory at Sepang, ahead of his new current teammate Andrea Dovozioso. We will then have to wait until 2010 for the next jackpot, with third place in MotoGP, then second in 2012 and 2015, as well as third in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Sepang is therefore not a circuit where Lorenzo has won a lot so far, but he has finished on the podium very often, scoring a maximum of points. We will have an idea next week of his possible performances in Malaysia, before seeing him again at Sepang on October 29 for the penultimate Grand Prix of the year.

Davide Tardozzi and Jorge Lorenzo this Thursday at Sepang

Below, Casey in action