MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo on a roll ahead of Silverstone

Five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo is going into this weekend’s British Grand Prix in the best possible shape, thanks to an incredible turnaround in form that’s seen him the man to be beaten in recent races. Finally finding a comfortable setting with the Ducati after eighteen months of trying, he’s convinced that he’s in a position to keep his race-winning form going this weekend.

Stronger than he’s ever been on the Ducati thanks to ergonomic changes finally made by the Bologna factory after months of complaining, it took a €400 part to finally give him what he needed from the bike. Allowing him to take the forces of extreme braking (something that’ll come into play around Silverstone) through his legs and not his arms, it’s what has given him the ability to stay in the mix until the chequered flag.

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And, with the five-time world champion demonstrating last year that he had the pace in the early part of the race to stick with the leaders, he’s confident that the changes they’ve made will make all the difference come Sunday.

“Last year was good, Dovi won and I finished just three seconds from him. I’ve improved so much in terms of how to manage the tyres and the energy during the race, and now I’m a lot more prepared to fight to the end for the win.”

But while he’s confident that he can be fast if conditions are right, there’s one factor that could play against Lorenzo – if the British weather doesn’t play ball. Expecting rain at some point, he isn’t sure yet what it might mean for them.

“For sure we will have some rain come at some point in the three days, but we’re expecting great sunny English weather on the Sunday so that we can take potential of our speed. The weather is always a big question mark, but if it’s right then we’re one of the favourites for sure.”

But while Lorenzo has been characterised as something of a poor wet weather rider in recent years he’s proved on multiple occasions of late that he’s still extremely rapid when the rain is coming down. And, with a full resurface of the Northamptonshire circuit for this race, it’ll actually play into his hands by reducing the chance of the sort of damp, mixed condition race where he does struggle – and could even give him an opportunity to bury whatever wet weather demons he may have once and for all.

Pick up this week’s MCN for an extensive, 36-page British Grand Prix preview featuring exclusive interviews with Rossi, Marquez and Lorenzo, a hot lap with Cal Crutchlow and the tech secrets between Marquez’ championship-leading Honda.

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