Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) has had a more difficult debut in red in 2017 than initial testing had suggested, but the ‘Spartan’ is making steps forward as the season gets going and we arrive at the five-time World Champion’s first home race of the year – the Spanish GP at Jerez.
Lorenzo’s CV at the track includes five wins – three in MotoGP™ and two in 250cc – as well as the pole and race lap records, and the Mallorcan is set to celebrate 15 years since his debut in the 125 World Championship this weekend.
Too young to take part in Free Practice on Friday for his first ever race in 2002, Lorenzo qualified and made his debut the following day, his fifteenth birthday. 65 wins, five World Championships and 15 years later, the ‘Spartan’ is looking forward to getting back on track in front of his home crowd in Jerez, and making another step of progress at a venue that the team have tested at earlier this season.
¡Descanso después del entreno! / Relax dopo l'allenamento! / Relax after training! @alpinestars @MonsterEnergy #jorgelorenzo #JL99 ???? pic.twitter.com/1mp9xV3wVW
— Jorge Lorenzo (@lorenzo99) 1 May 2017
Jorge Lorenzo: "We arrive in Spain after three rather complicated races for us, but we have always made small steps forward in the latest rounds. Jerez is one of my favourite tracks, I have excellent memories of it, and I’ve scored a number of wins there, but it’s also true to say that it’s not the most favourable track for Ducati. We are analyzing all the data, including those from the recent test at this circuit, to carry on working on the bike and improve our competitiveness. I can’t wait to feel the warm support from the Spanish crowd and ride a Ducati for the first time in front of my fans.”