250cc – Motegi QP2 – Record pole for Lorenzo

Fastest lap in practice, pole position at Honda, the tenth of the season, equaling Anton Mang's 1981 record. A day to remember for Jorge Lorenzo, author of an extraordinary lap, able to beat his championship rival Dovizioso and the trio of Japanese riders (the two Aoyama and Takahashi) who were decidedly combative here in Motegi. Lorenzo is the first to be amazed by this incredible performance, and coming from him, who has always been very full of himself, it is truly significant.

“I didn't expect to go so fast and I surprised myself”, said Lorenzo. “This result shows that with work you can overcome your limits. I expect a very tough race, because it's one thing to do a sensational lap, and the other to do twenty as fast as you can. Then there are many Japanese riders in the leading positions, and we know that they don't give you anything. Tomorrow morning I'll look at the street to see if the weather forecast was right, and we'll have to run in the rain, but I won't let myself be obsessed by something I can't control. I'm happy to have equaled the pole position record, but we must not lose sight of the fact that where the points are earned is the race, and we must try to be as far ahead as possible. Pole makes you understand that you are working well and gives you confidence to face the race"

Alessio Piana