MotoGP news

Lorenzo takes it easy

Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo made his competitive debut at Laguna Seca Friday in practice for the US Grand Prix, finishing 13th in the combined standings. The 21-year-old visited the track as a commentator for last year's race but this was his first time on a bike around the famous California circuit.

Lorenzo has been looking forward to riding here all season and he spent the morning's session familiarising himself with the nuances of the 3.610 km track, especially the famous corkscrew at turn eight. In the afternoon he felt confident enough to begin working on bike set-up and he improved his time by nearly a second. He is still lacking some rear grip however and will be looking to make significant strides with this on Saturday. Lorenzo's team-mate Valentino Rossi was third fastest today, behind Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden. 

"The first laps here in Laguna Seca this morning were incredible for me and I had great fun learning the track," said Lorenzo. "On my first lap I was very lucky at the Corkscrew because Nicky Hayden was in front and he knows this track very well, so I followed him and I came out alive! It's very different to anywhere else we go and very complicated, so I am trying to take it gently until I am sure of my lines. For me the hardest part is the first corner, but I felt better about it this afternoon. I had some problems with my rear tyre, we don't have enough grip, and I also need more confidence in the front of the bike. I think I need to do some more laps here in order to have more feeling and knowledge about the track and the right lines. I've been looking at the Superbike times and they're doing almost the same times as me, so I know I have some work to do. We have some issues but we're working hard towards being faster tomorrow. I've enjoyed my first day here."

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