MotoGP: Gabarrini, “Lorenzo? Lucid and obsessive, what a pleasure to work with someone like that”

Ducati MotoGP 2017 Jorge Lorenzo – This year Ducati has signed five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo, a rider taken to try to win the title and who is adapting to the Desmosedici GP after having always ridden a Yamaha since he joined MotoGP. The latest tests in Qatar were encouraging and the Engineer spoke about him to the Gazzetta dello Sport Cristian Gabarrini (in the photo to the right of Lorenzo) who with Casey Stoner won two titles in the Top Class, 2007 with Ducati and 2011 with Honda.

“I have no doubts either about Ducati or the rider: we can be very competitive throughout the season. Beyond his driving skills, which are not in question, Jorge is very precise, professional and detailed in his analyses. He has a clear vision of what happens on the bike: for a technician it's a pleasure to work with a rider like that. It's true that there is data, but whoever is in the saddle remains the most important and sophisticated sensor. he is a very kind boy, until now I have never seen him lose his patience, he is always very helpful, he listens carefully to everything that is said inside the box. Humanly speaking, he is a very pleasant person."

Gabarrini thus defined the Majorcan. “He's Manic. He takes care of every detail, as is right for a professional of his level."

He then took stock of the situation after nine days of testing. “Taking into account what the potential of Lorenzo and the Ducati may be, we are between 75 and 85 percent: let's say that the process of adapting Jorge to the Desmosedici and the bike to the rider is progressing well.

When asked if Lorenzo could win in the first round, he responded thus. “I don't see the reason for this expectation, also because it would mean having little respect for a strong rider like Dovizioso. There are certainly opportunities to do well, which means getting on the podium, but to win a lot of those things have to happen.”

Finally, a thought on the world title speech. “The discriminating factor will be consistency on the different circuits: in general, the adaptation process between bike and rider is growing, but it is not yet completed and, above all, certain aspects can only be perceived in the race. It's too early to say, but we can be competitive throughout the season.”