The reigning double 250cc world champion was a close second to Stoner in both sessions and eventually finished his first day as an official
MotoGP rider just a fraction behind the Ducati star, after punching out a series of scorching laps towards the end of the second hour.
Indeed, Lorenzo repeatedly looked capable of toppling Stoner, only to lose ground during the final sector - when the Desmosedici's superior horsepower was unleashed.
"I'm happy tonight because we started working from where we left off at the test and things were very good again. Honestly though I didn't really expect to be second on my very first day at a MotoGP race!" smiled the 20-year-old Spaniard. "The track seems dirtier because the wind has been blowing the sand on to it lately, so I think that tomorrow, once the bikes have cleaned it a bit, it will be better and we will be able to push more.
"I am completely comfortable with the light situation and I'm not even thinking anymore about the fact that we're riding at night, it seems normal. We're still lacking a bit of feeling in the front and need a bit more grip, but things are improving step by step," he continued. "We've tried a few different tyres and it seems that the Michelin's are working well here; overall I'm feeling good and I'm very pleased with my pace.
"Despite my position tonight, I'm not thinking about the result at all, I just want to concentrate on doing the best I can do," he insisted.
Lorenzo's superstar team-mate
Valentino Rossi, who uses
Bridgestone rather than Michelin tyres, was eighth fastest.
