MotoGP news

Lorenzo finds pace on final day

2008 Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo signed off for 2007 in impressive style in Jerez today, finishing third overall and recording a best time of 1'39.464 on qualifying tyres, just 0.062 seconds off the 2007 race pole position.

Lorenzo completed 90 laps on the final day of testing in Spain, including a long run in which the MotoGP rookie recorded more impressive times. After eight days of testing since the end of the season, Lorenzo is looking increasingly comfortable on his new bike and he was also able to complete some tyre testing today with Michelin, finding some good rear-tyre rubber. Lorenzo's 2008 team-mate Valentino Rossi was 11th today after stopping early due to some pain in his recovering hand, the Italian recording a best time of 1'41.538, whilst Dani Pedrosa was fastest with a lap of 1'38.562.

"Today I felt even better than yesterday and I did a very good test session," said Lorenzo. "Yesterday I had some pain because of the number of laps I had done the day before, but today I was fully recovered and everything went well. I felt very comfortable with the M1 and during the race simulation I had very positive impressions. The lap times are becoming faster and faster, and this means that we are working in the right direction."

"The traction on the rear is improving, thanks also to the new material from Michelin, so I am satisfied," he added. "Actually I didn't expect to be so fast in the race simulation; I went beyond my expectations. At the end of the third day we can say that this has been a very good test session and my overall feeling is, of course, better than after the Sepang test. We still have a lot of work to do, but the atmosphere inside the garage is concentrated, relaxed and very professional, so I am sure we will achieve our goals before the season starts. I am looking forward to being in Sepang, in January, to test new engine specifications and to try to be even faster."

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