Indy MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo content with third

Jorge Lorenzo refused to be too downbeat after he scored his worst result of the 2010 MotoGP world championship in Indianapolis yesterday.

The Spaniard never seriously looked like challenging for a third successive victory on American soil as he struggled to fight his way by Andrea Dovizioso’s Repsol Honda in the opening laps.

The 23-year-old, who had never finished below second in the opening ten races, lost three places on the first lap and it took him until the third lap to fight his way by home favourite Nicky Hayden.

Lorenzo then needed nine further laps before he could finally sweep by Italian Dovizioso into third place.

By the time he made his move on lap 12, compatriot Dani Pedrosa and impressive rookie Ben Spies had cleared off into the distance.

Lorenzo, who saw his series lead cut to 68-points courtesy of Pedrosa’s commanding third win of the season, said: “I must not be disappointed but I’m not happy with my race. I didn’t ride so well. The start didn’t help me to make the race better.

“That’s why I didn’t feel so good with my physical condition. Already by the third lap I was tired and I was not able to make the same pace as in practice. Anyway, this is my worst result, and I think for Misano we will come back again.

“I really didn’t make a good start, and I lost two or three positions. And then after my bike wasn’t so quick on the straight.

“I only got a chance to overtake Dovizioso because he made a mistake in the last corner and he made a wheelie. I exited perfect out of the last corner and I overtook him in the first corner. But I didn’t think I could pass Andrea.”

Conditions were some of the most extreme witnessed in recent years and almost comparable to the punishing heat and humidity experienced at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

Lorenzo added: “The track was so slippery and also the bumps were difficult. I almost crashed in some corners, so I prefer to finish third and not to take so many risks.”