MotoGP: Lorenzo admits it’s all down to Dovi now

Ducati racer Jorge Lorenzo has admitted that his teammate Andrea Dovizioso’s chances of lifting the 2017 MotoGP championship tomorrow at the Valencian Grand Prix are small – and that there’s little that he’ll be able to do to help out the Italian (who needs to win to have any chance) in tomorrow’s race.

“There is something I can do to help him – but I’m not that sort of rider! But there’s not much I can do, because Dovi needs to be in the front group and to have a chance to win, with Marc making some mistakes or having a problem. It’s very difficult for him, so Dovi’s chances are small. But it’s always the wish and the hope, and anything can happen in MotoGP.”

However, he might still be able to make an impact on tomorrow’s race at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit thanks to his rapid race pace, with the Spaniard fully expecting to be able to get into the fight for the lead in tomorrow’s 30-lap race.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t manage to start on the front row, but overall it was a positive day for me. I was lucky I didn’t hurt myself in the crash because I was going really fast, and I’m disappointed about that because I was doing a great lap, with a time that was maybe good enough for pole. On the second run my confidence with the rear tyre was worse and I was unable to improve my time.

“The most important thing however is that I’m one of the riders with the best race pace, and even though Marquez is a bit quicker, the fact that he’s fighting for the world title could be an advantage for me. In the last few races I’ve always improved my feeling with the bike and now I can be fast and consistent and this will be important for tomorrow’s race.”