MotoGP, Lorenzo: "Win? Anything is possible."

Barcelona is one of his favourite tracks and tomorrow he will start from the front row there for the ninth consecutive time. Lorenzo came within a shout of a historic pole position at Montmelò with Ducati, but Dani Pedrosa rained on his parade. In any case, there is a look of great confidence for the race on the face of the rider from Borgo Panigale.

“I would have signed just about anything for this result. I had a lot of confidence and the changes we made gave us the result we had hoped for - commented number 99 - Plus I was able to be consistent. Unfortunately, we are still struggling with something at the front, like the Yamaha is for example, whereas we are lacking a bit of grip at the rear.”

You mentioned changes. What were they?

“I’m sorry, but I can’t say.”

What type of race do you expect?

“Tomorrow I predict a very difficult race – a nightmare for everyone with the asphalt conditions - he revealed - So I’ll have to try to be delicate on the throttle. It won’t be like Mugello where you can do a fast lap all the way to the end. To the contrary, here the times will be a second slower in the finale. The bike/rider combination will definitely become fundamental.”

Lorenzo was then asked if he is dreaming of the win.

“Many expected Dovi to win at Mugello, but I did not give up. Anything will be possible tomorrow, but we will definitely have to try to maintain grip on the front.”

Next year there should be some new tracks on the calendar. Will it be easier to learn them with the Ducati?

“Historically I have never had troubles learning the trajectories. I don’t think it will be a problem.”

The asphalt is a riddle, but so is tyre life. Why these difficulties for Michelin?

“This year there are more bikes that can shoot for victory. Plus, if you don’t use the new tyre in practice straight away, you risk not making it into the top ten. On some occasions, the Michelins do well but in others they struggle.”

Lorenzo is a sure thing at Barcelona. This year, he is on the front row once again.

“To be honest, I don’t know why. Maybe I am able to be explosive here, but the race tomorrow is what counts.”

There is an aspect on which the Borgo Panigale standard-bearer will focus.

“With the hard front tyre we have more grip, whereas the Hondas, especially Marquez, and the Yamahas have some problems. We need to increase confidence with the rear.”

Is Pedrosa the favourite?

“He is fast, but everything depends on the tyre and its life.”