Brno MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo worried by Michelin slump

Jorge Lorenzo has admitted he is worried by the continuing poor performance of Michelin’s tyres as he encountered severe grip issues on the first day in Brno.

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The Spaniard, still limping heavily following his massive crash in Laguna Seca last month, could only finish 11th quickest on combined times as he hit difficulties with Michelin’s front tyre.

The 21-year-old said: “I am feeling very good physically, and I only feel pain when I walk to the bike in the garage – once I’m on it I am fine. I am feeling confident but I need half a second more in order to be at the front.

“The main problem is in the front tyre; I am worried because the first Michelin is in seventh and this isn’t great, it is clear that we all need to work together to improve this. We are working very closely together with Michelin and Yamaha and we are trying to find a better way for us here this weekend.

“It is very difficult at the moment to fight for the podium in the dry, and in the wet we don’t know yet. My main aim this weekend is to finish in the top seven.”

Lorenzo has crashed out of the last two races in which Michelin has been heavily criticised for its performace in Germany and America.