Jorge Lorenzo did a rain dance before the start of today’s Sepang MotoGP round as he didn’t want to ride in mixed conditions but said that maybe he prayed a little too hard as the downpour he got was over the top.

Lorenzo managed to bag third place behind Andrea Dovizoso and Valentino Rossi, but it wasn’t enough to stop The Doctor from securing second in the championship chase.

“I didn’t want a mixed race, so I was praying for it to rain. Finally it rains heavily, maybe a little too much,” said Lorenzo after the race.

“In the warm-up lap I had some moments at Turn 7 and 8, I was aquaplaning and I almost crashed. I told Loris [Capirossi] and race direction that there was too much water, that we needed to delay the race. Finally the track was safe and it was good to ride well.

“I stayed on the bike even though I didn’t feel very good today, I was worse than in qualifying with a little bit more water on the track, but stayed on the bike,” he said.

“I feel lucky that the crashes were in front of me, this time, and this gave me the opportunity to go from sixth place to third.

“A podium in the rain is good for my confidence in these conditions. Maybe not a spectacular result, but it’s important to get another podium.”