Ducati new-boy Jorge Lorenzo matched expectations in the opening session of 2017 MotoGP testing at Valencia and on day one of his new adventure with Ducati set the third fastest time of the day - 1’31.052 and only 0.122 off the pace of  a surprising Maverick Vinales on the Yamaha.

Following the agreements with Yamaha, Lorenzo couldn’t speak with the media, but we could get an idea of his impressions thanks to the Ducati men, in particular the Team Manager Davide Tardozzi and his new team mate Andrea Dovizioso. The general atmosphere of the garage, anyway, confirmed an enthusiastic start.  

As with everybody in the paddock, they were not surprised by the speed of Lorenzo, but as Tardozzi stressed to BSN, “The most important thing is that he said what we were expecting to hear.”

“We were highly impressed by his professional approach and attitude with the team,” he continued. “Every time we were asking something and we could do, then he dropped a little bit the times. He collaborated closely also with Casey Stoner, he was following the riders along the service road and for example Jorge asked him to watch him on a particular corner where he felt to be slow.  

“He tested always with the GP16 and did one lap with the 2017 machine, which is also equipped with the wings because to make a comparison test we need to have the same set up on both bikes. Tomorrow he will test the 2017 machine. Anyway, we were not looking for the lap times because it’s still too early. There are things we need to change, like the sitting position and other things that we will be able to deliver only in Sepang.”

“Honestly I was not impressed by the speed,” stated Dovizioso. “We know that we have a multiple world champion and the base of our machine is good.”

Regarding his day, Dovizioso  - fifth with a lap time of 1’31.131) - commented. “Today we did a comparison test with the 2016 and the 2017 machines and the feeling with the new machine is good. The engine is smoother in the bottom area and there is more room to make tests and try new things. I cannot say if the bike improved the corner speed, something we had requested, because we were testing the two bikes with a similar setup.

“The smoothness of engine alone doesn’t help to make the bike turn better. We also tested the bike without wings and I have to say that the difference is big. In terms of safety things get worst because in the acceleration the front feels lighter. Considered how we were used in the past years, this is a big step back. We decided to continue the test with the wings to have a similar step up on the two machines. Tomorrow we will continue working especially on the chassis side.”