Current MotoGP series leader Valentino Rossi appears a little worried at the pace of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo at Aragon and believes he has made a step up in pace over the last couple of dry races as well as upping his game this year overall.
The Doctor, who holds a 23-point lead over his Movistar Yamaha team-mate, is almost seven-tenths slower than Lorenzo even though he occupies second on the combined timesheet which gives some indication just how fast the Mallorcan is - especially as he is able to string any number of 1’48s laps together at will.
“I think in the last races Jorge made another step and he is in a great shape. He is a lot stronger than last year. For example last year Jorge sometimes had some problems in practice like me, sometimes he was sixth or seventh, this year he is always strong and fast,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.
“Jorge did a very good lap time, a 1’47.5s, and we know that Jorge is always very strong in the hot lap, and he was able to put all the sections together. It is true also that he did a real time attack, 100 per cent.
“I start more like race pace so I want to try to feel more constant to understand the rear tyre. I think Jorge pushed more, but anyway the lap time is impressive because six tenths is a lot. Tomorrow we have to put all the sectors together and try to make a 1’47.”
