Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1131259
VOLUME 56 ISSUE 24 JUNE 18, 2019 P33 Lorenzo, Honda Hard At Work J orge Lorenzo spent the break after the Italian GP with Honda in Japan for three days of intensive work and meetings, as he contin- ues his so far barely successful quest to adapt to the RC213V on which teammate and former rival Marquez is serially successful. Lorenzo's difficulties were com- pounded by injury at the end of last season and during the winter, and while his best qualifying this year has been eighth (at Le Mans), and he has scored points in every race but one, he has yet to finish in the top 10, and is clearly far from confident in a bike he finds both physically small and difficult on corner entry. Speaking on the eve of the Cata- lunyan GP, Lorenzo told press that talks with HRC engineers had been wide-ranging, and while ergonomic differences were already coming, other areas would take longer. Changes to the seat and dummy fuel tank at Ducati had proved key to the long-time Yamaha rider, with improved comfort and ease of control returning him to the winner's circle. Lorenzo has already been using different seat configurations at Honda. The first new modifica- tion arrived in Catalunya—a dummy tank with wing-like projections at the top on each side, giving him greater purchase with his knees (Jack Miller uses a similar tank design on his Pramac Ducati). "There will be some more pieces for Assen [the next race], both other things will take more time. This is going to be a long process," he said. As well as ergonomics and other features of the bike, he continued, "I can also work on my riding style and understanding." Lorenzo was working particu- larly in improving his braking, a strong point for both the men- tioned riders. Michael Scott Jorge Lorenzo and Honda have been working hard in testing. PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE Ducati Ups Their Quota D ucati will be obliged to up their quota of factory bikes from three to four next year or risk losing the services of top satel- lite-team rider Jack Miller, or his current teammate Pecco Bagnaia. This is the likely out- come of the contest in the first races of this year for the second factory team seat alongside Andrea Dovizioso for 2020. Ducati made no secret that they were weighing the options—it would either be current incumbent Danilo Petrucci or Pramac team rider Miller. In the earlier races, the Australian seemed stronger, but Petrucci's win a fortnight ago at his home Mugello GP and solid ride at Catalunya tipped the scales heavily in his favor. An announcement is imminent. Miller, meantime, has confirmed he would be happy to stay with Pramac, where he currently rides a third factory GP19, like that of Dovi and Petrucci, but only of he is clearly the number-one rider. Meanwhile, rookie Bagnaia's two-year contract with Pramac specifies a factory bike for 2020. Said Miller: "I'm happy to stay, but I must have the right package. I think I deserve it. I've done my ap- prenticeship, and I need to be on a factory bike to fight with these guys." Moto2 Champion Bagnaia has had a somewhat disappointing start to his MotoGP year after making a strong debut in pre-season tests. Although ninth at COTA, he has scored points only one other time, and has crashed out of the last three in a row. Michael Scott Will Danilo Pettrucci be Dovi's full-time teammate next year?