Ninjette Newsbot
March 31st, 2015, 01:21 AM
http://s3.visordown.com/uploads/images/medium/76225.jpg
DOUBLE MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo’s sudden lack of pace towards the end of the race in Qatar on Sunday was due to helmet padding coming loose and blocking the Spaniard's vision.
The 27-year-old finished fourth in the first MotoGP race of 2015, but after competing at the front for most of the race, it was mysterious as to why the Spaniard dropped from the leading pack in the latter stages until now.
“It was a difficult race,” said Lorenzo. “After the first lap, I found myself in second place and I followed Dovizioso. I was faster and I passed him where I could in the fast corners.
“On the speed and in braking the Ducati was much stronger than our bike, but we could recover on corner speed while the acceleration was similar.
“To be honest, I thought that I could win the race, though it surely wasn’t going to be easy, because Valentino had a very strong pace at the end of the race.
"I was feeling better and better, but suddenly there was something wrong when in the top part of the helmet the foam came loose and came down so I lost half of my vision.
“I couldn’t see the corners very well and couldn’t concentrate or ride like before and I was losing half a second or more per lap. In a race where, at minimum I could fight for the win, I finished fourth.”
It was still a positive weekend for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team with Team Director Massimo Meregalli explaining they believe they ‘could have had both riders on the podium’ if it wasn’t for Lorenzo’s helmet issue.
Related Content
Rossi: 'The only negative thing was the speed of Marc and Dani' (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/rossi-the-only-negative-thing-was-the-speed-of-marc-and-dani/26240.html)
Rossi and Lorenzo make 'strong start' at Sepang (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/rossi-and-lorenzo-make-strong-start-at-sepang/26225.html)
MotoGP Valencia test times - day two (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/motogp-valencia-test-times---day-two/25882.html)
MotoGP Valencia test times - day one (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/motogp-valencia-test-times---day-one/25878.html)
MotoGP Valencia test times - day three (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/motogp-valencia-test-times---day-three/25887.html)
Click here for full story... (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/lorenzos-helmet-to-blame-for-sudden-lack-of-pace/26474.html)
DOUBLE MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo’s sudden lack of pace towards the end of the race in Qatar on Sunday was due to helmet padding coming loose and blocking the Spaniard's vision.
The 27-year-old finished fourth in the first MotoGP race of 2015, but after competing at the front for most of the race, it was mysterious as to why the Spaniard dropped from the leading pack in the latter stages until now.
“It was a difficult race,” said Lorenzo. “After the first lap, I found myself in second place and I followed Dovizioso. I was faster and I passed him where I could in the fast corners.
“On the speed and in braking the Ducati was much stronger than our bike, but we could recover on corner speed while the acceleration was similar.
“To be honest, I thought that I could win the race, though it surely wasn’t going to be easy, because Valentino had a very strong pace at the end of the race.
"I was feeling better and better, but suddenly there was something wrong when in the top part of the helmet the foam came loose and came down so I lost half of my vision.
“I couldn’t see the corners very well and couldn’t concentrate or ride like before and I was losing half a second or more per lap. In a race where, at minimum I could fight for the win, I finished fourth.”
It was still a positive weekend for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team with Team Director Massimo Meregalli explaining they believe they ‘could have had both riders on the podium’ if it wasn’t for Lorenzo’s helmet issue.
Related Content
Rossi: 'The only negative thing was the speed of Marc and Dani' (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/rossi-the-only-negative-thing-was-the-speed-of-marc-and-dani/26240.html)
Rossi and Lorenzo make 'strong start' at Sepang (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/rossi-and-lorenzo-make-strong-start-at-sepang/26225.html)
MotoGP Valencia test times - day two (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/motogp-valencia-test-times---day-two/25882.html)
MotoGP Valencia test times - day one (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/motogp-valencia-test-times---day-one/25878.html)
MotoGP Valencia test times - day three (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/motogp-valencia-test-times---day-three/25887.html)
Click here for full story... (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-racing-news-moto-gp/lorenzos-helmet-to-blame-for-sudden-lack-of-pace/26474.html)