Lorenzo: the milestone at Jerez

“I said on Thursday it was a combination of many things,” explained Lorenzo after the race on his upturn in form and performance after having previously posted a best of 9th place from events in Qatar, Argentina and the USA. “I needed kilometres on this bike that is very ‘special’ [different].”

“I was fast very suddenly when I first came into MotoGP in 2008 because the bike [Yamaha] was made for my riding [style] but in other categories it took me a long time to understand certain things. Some people doubted my riding and mentality too early and finally they have to take their words in their mouths; you cannot doubt any rider in this championship because all of them here are very good and can be at the front…and especially one who has won many races and titles.”

“Jorge doesn't need to demonstrate anything,” said World Champion Marc Marquez who claimed second place in what was an all-Spanish top three and on a day when the host nations cleaned-up in each category.

Lorenzo is still not close to the relentless ‘machine’ that would pound out lap-times within a few tenths of a second for the duration of a Grand Prix, and finished fourteen seconds down on Dani Pedrosa’s race winning performance on Sunday but his work is firmly in progress. And the details count. “The rear brake is still not so natural for me but it is getting better every practice; for nine years I did not use the rear brake and slide into the corners and now I have to until perhaps we change the bike,” he offered by way of example. “It takes time to change the way I ride to find the maximum of the bike.”

Jorge will have his next chance to grin and prosper in two weeks time when MotoGP attempt the fast (and resurfaced) layout of Le Mans in France.