Source: Supplied.

Ducati Team’s Jorge Lorenzo and Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Andrea Iannone came together in turn one during the MotoGP race in Argentina, ending Lorenzo’s race and ruining Iannone’s.

It was another frustrating turn events for Lorenzo from 16th position on the grid, running into the rear of Iannone among the chaotic mid-pack bunch.

“I had made a great start and managed to pass four or five riders, but coming into the first corner it was all rather chaotic, with a lot of riders trying to overtake each other under braking,” Lorenzo reflected. “I was on the inside and suddenly I found myself coming up on Iannone – unfortunately I touched his rear wheel and crashed out.

“It was a real pity that I never even managed to get through the first corner of the race, because today I had a good feeling with my bike, but now we have to look ahead and continue to work in a positive way like we are doing already.”

Iannone was most disappointed with a ride-through penalty received for jumping the start after remounting and rejoining the race, eventually crossing the line outside of the points in 16th.

“I got a ride-through penalisation and my feeling is that it was too harsh,” Iannone said. “In my opinion I didn’t gain any advantage because I just moved a bit, but then immediately stopped. On the contrary, I also got hit by another rider at corner one, causing me to lose many positions.

“Because of this, my opinion is that the race direction could have given another evaluation of the situation and maybe not dictate such a penalising ride-through. Of course this, together with the contact at corner one, in which I lost many positions, affected my whole race.

:It’s a shame because my pace after the penalty was good, maybe not enough for the podium, but for sure I could have fought for the top six. It’s not been a good start of the season for me. We have to change our pace and get a new start – we deserve better results.”