Lorenzo Happy With Second

Henny Ray Abrams | July 3, 2009

A year after struggling at one of Michelin’s worst tracks, Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo is much happier.Now on control Bridgestones, the Majorcan finished the first day of practice at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca second only to teammate Valentino Rossi at a gap of .112 secs. The more critical number was his improvement from a year ago; Lorenzo’s Friday first practice time was 1:24.317, compared to today’s 1:22:093. And Lorenzo ended Saturday in 2008 with a best lap of 1:22.967.”I feel great” declared Lorenzo. “I improve one second in only a practice, because last year the best time I did with race tires was 23.0 and today I did 22.0, so one second of improvement is…I felt happy, and I think at least we have options to get the podium. Then we will try to improve some tenths to try to win, but it will be difficult.”He continued that there was “a lot, a lot of difference” between the Michelins and Bridgestones, because Michelin was better on only three or four tracks, but they were worse at Laguna Seca. The front Bridgestone was much better, though he was looking for rear traction in the corners.As to where he might pass on a track that allows very few opportunities, he joked, “I hope not to pass any rider in the race. But if I have to do, is important to be sure not to do a mistake. But you will see on the race, what is the point.”