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The Thursday leading into the Phillip Island race weekend has been a little different for Jorge Lorenzo. The Spaniard entered the hospitality unit that he usually uses for press meetings to be met with a particularly large crowd. An abnormal number of people for a simple Thursday conference. The reason for this soon became clear, a message having circulated in a chat between press officers regarding Jorge Lorenzo's retirement which, according to the message, would be announced during this very press conference.
"Absolutely not- said Lorenzo after having enquired as to why hospitality was so full - I'd say it's idle gossip, this is a normal race and I have no announcement to make”.
Rumours regarding Lorenzo's retirement continue to circulate since his crash at Assen, the Spaniard continuing to struggle with the Honda.
“I've been struggling for several years - he says - The first year in Ducati was very complicated, as is this one. With motorcycling, you get around the difficulties with consistency, continuing to work even if you can't do what you would like”.
Valentino Rossi is in a similar situation, a rider who, with you, has written the history of this sport in past year. Can you both rise again?
“That's life, that's sport. No one stays at the top forever, not even the greatest. Life is like a rollercoaster and when you're at a low point you have to know that you need to fight to get over that moment because being there doesn't mean you'll be there forever”.
How is the process of adapting to the Honda going? Any news?
“I made a little progress in Japan, I got on better in the final laps of the race, so I want to continue to improve my sensations on the bike at Phillip Island too. The track is special and the weather could mix things up".
But you finished the Motegi race in 17th place...
"Yes, but I was closer to the front with respect to previous races, even if I didn't score points. The goal this weekend is to head to Malaysia with a few more points and get the gap down to within 30 seconds.”
Your difficulties have been clear in recent months, how do you get out of this type of situation?
“I'm a rider and as a I rider, I run risks and I'm aware of this. Sometimes I crash because I go over the limit but I try to stay at 99.9% for a good part of practice and the race. But things change quickly. For example, in 2017, I finished the Phillip island race 15th, more than 40 seconds from first place, and fought for points with Abraham and Rabat. Then five months later I won at Mugello, finishing 5 seconds ahead of Dovizioso".
So the past gives you hope for your future in Honda?
"This shows us what motorcycling is, in six months, with the same bike, I had some very different sensations and some very different results. If you are not getting on well with the bike, if you're not in top shape physically and if you're racing against the best in the world, you go from winning the race to battling to score points".
Audio recorded by Paolo Scalera
