Jorge Lorenzo has described his penultimate day with Yamaha as ‘perfect’ after he destroyed the opposition to take pole ahead of tomorrow’s final MotoGP race of the 2016 season at Valencia.

The outgoing champion couldn’t have done more in his final weekend with Movistar Yamaha as he outclassed the rest with three hot laps which were faster than anyone else, eventually ending the session with a 1’29.401s lap which knocked 0.601s off his previous record set last year.

“It was perfect,” said the Mallorcan. “In the morning it was quite cold but in the afternoon it was perfect conditions for the tyres and for the grip.

“Here we have very good tyres, like in Brno and Misano, so with these tyres I feel much more confident and I can reach my top as a rider.”

Lorenzo began his MotoGP career with Yamaha with pole in 2008, and he believes it is quite fitting he should end it in the same way.

“I can say that in my last race with Yamaha, I made a pole position so it is not bad. For sure, tomorrow is the important thing in the race and I will try to fight for the win, but the qualifying has been impressive.

“I’ve been very motivated, very confident with the tyres and the tarmac, so I could race my top level today and make three very, very quick laps, improving two tenths every time I put a new tyre.

“Today I was inspired and everything I tried was working. Even if I pushed more and more, the bike stayed and I didn’t crash, so it was my day and I am very proud.”

While he hopes on one hand to finish his tenure with the Japanese manufacturer with a win, he knows it may more prudent to settle for a solid points haul depending on what happens with Suzuki Ecstar’s Maverick Vinales.

The Spanish rider is not only waiting in the wings to jump into his ride within the Movistar Yamaha camp next week, he could also snatch third away from him if he can score 18 more points than Lorenzo.

And Lorenzo knows he has to decide which basket to stick his eggs in tomorrow.

“I think I will see during the race. During the race, probably with the board or something, and it depends on the position. I will know where Vinales will be tomorrow. It depends if I’m in front or behind him.

“For sure I would like to fight for the win and win the last race, but also I want to finish as high as possible in the championship so it will be interesting to see how much I can risk and how much not but we will see during the race.”