Lorenzo hoping for further improvements before home race

Round two of the 2011 MotoGP Championship got underway at Jerez today with Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies getting their first European track time of the season.

Reigning World Champion Lorenzo spent the two free practice sessions testing a new set up for the circuit, improving from the morning’s fifth place finish to wrap up the afternoon’s final session in third, 0.522 seconds from the front. The combined times placed him fifth today ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying heat.

Both Spies and Lorenzo will start tomorrow looking to find a set up that delivers better traction for the fast corners and rapid direction changes of the circuit.

Jorge Lorenzo – Position 5th – Time 1’40.420 – Laps 23
“This morning the track was perfect with no wind but in the afternoon it came so the riding was more difficult. Finally we finished third, the gap to the front is less than before and we hope to improve the bike more for tomorrow. After the good race at Qatar we are more motivated and this is one of the special rounds of the year so we hope to have a great race on Sunday.”

Wilco Zeelenberg – Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager
“Jorge finished in third position this afternoon finally and which was an ok result. We need to do more work for sure to make the next step up so we are not happy with it. We have a couple of ideas we want to try, especially for traction and turnability, both areas where we need to improve for tomorrow’s qualifying session.”

Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director
“Jorge had a better session this afternoon and moved closer to the front guys, the team are still not satisfied though and need to make another step forward. I’m confident that both sides can make the necessary changes to give our riders the best opportunity in tomorrow’s qualifying.”

Source: Yamaha Racing