Lorenzo revitalised by new feeling with Ducati

Jorge Lorenzo’s future at Ducati may look uncertain at best but the Spanish rider says he’s discovered new confidence with his GP18 thanks to fuel tank modifications that have been introduced at Mugello.

Having led the opening stages of the last two races at Jerez and Le Mans only to suffer late fades, with the three-time MotoGP world champion blaming fatigue in France wrestling his Ducati, and the Italian manufacturer has produced a reshaped tank to provide better handling.

Lorenzo blocked out speculation on his MotoGP future, with reports pointing to his exit from Ducati, to narrowly miss out on a maiden MotoGP pole position for the Italian brand, just 0.035s off pole-sitter Valentino Rossi for Movistar Yamaha at Mugello, but has secured his first front row start since last year’s Aragon round which he feels is a timely confidence boost.

“It has been a long time that I’ve not been here so it is a pleasure and to be competitive, especially to feel better on the bike which gives me the confidence and mainly the energy to keep my pace for longer,” Lorenzo said. “I think we are more prepared to fight for the race than in other races. We need to demonstrate it on Sunday.

“In the last two races I’ve started from the second row and I could overtake some riders but it is not simple.

“It is a good position for tomorrow and just for a little bit I couldn’t get my first pole position for Ducati which would have been amazing but the important thing is the feeling. The feeling and confidence in order to save energy for this race.”