News 5 May 2011

Lorenzo believes Estoril test could be key for title defence

MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo made improvements in his settings on Monday at Estoril.

MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo made improvements in his settings on Monday at Estoril.

MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo believes Monday’s post race test at Estoril in Portugal could be the key to consistently beating the Hondas of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa in 2011.

Lorenzo enjoyed a positive test on Monday directly following his second position in Sunday’s race, admitting that an improvement in new suspension components and a revised swingarm has him finally feeling confident in the YZR-M1 as he was last year in his title-winning season.

“I’m very happy with the test we have done today,” Lorenzo said. “Before I was not feeling as safe and as comfortable going into corners as I did last year and in 2009. Now we have found something with the chassis set up that works much better so I feel comfortable again.

“I think we can be faster with the corners now so I am looking forward to going to France to keep fighting for more podiums.”

Lorenzo also took the opportunity to test new electronic settings in the hunt for more grip from his YZR-M1 and both riders also tested some new Bridgestone tyres.

The Spaniard made full use of the new settings to break under the 1:37 mark and get down to a 1:36.316 as he wrapped up the afternoon session in second place just 0.105 from the front.

“A very successful test I would say,” said Yamaha Factory Racing Team manager Wilco Zeelenberg. “It will be useful for the rest of the season I’m sure. We made some very important changes to the bike and the problems we had yesterday are now solved.

“Bridgestone brought some new tyres which help as well. The most important thing we improved was corner speed entry and front end safety so that’s a double plus we can use at all tracks.”

The team will now take a short break before round four of the 2011 MotoGP Championship at Le Mans next

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