Jorge Lorenzo lines up fifth on Rio Hondo grid

Movistar Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi were back on track yesterday in Argentina in qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix de la República Argentina.

The duo enjoyed the best weather conditions yet of the weekend with sunshine and a dry track, Lorenzo taking fifth on the second row and teammate Rossi taking eighth on the third.

Mallorcan double premier class champion Lorenzo was as usual the first man on track and quick to break under the 39s with a first hot lap of 1‘38.485, securing provisional second in the first flurry of activity.

Unable to improve on the time he returned to the pits for fresh rubber before hitting the track again with just under seven minutes remaining.

The second stint proved challenging and he was unable to better the first hot lap, settling for the second row start today.

Jorge Lorenzo
“The pace was good at the beginning but it drops on the rear tyre as it wears. In qualifying my first lap was very good but the second one I made too many mistakes and I couldn’t improve the time. It’s a pity because without any mistakes I could be in second place. That’s racing; sometimes you don‘t get the perfect lap. We will probably go for the harder rear tyre but we still have to decide on the front for tomorrow‘s race.”

Source: Yamaha Racing