Ducati’s factory MotoGP stars Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso are struggling to make the new Desmosedici GP17 turn at Phillip Island with the Spaniard unhappy about stability and a rear tyre he proclaimed dangerous yesterday.

“On this track, we feel more the lack of the wings especially in terms of stability,” said Lorenzo, who finished 11th on day one. The second day Lorenzo kept struggling, occupying a position that is very unusual for the five-time world champion.

In 15th place and 1.350s slower than Vinales on his old bike, Lorenzo declared: “The target was to ride with more consistency and we made some small steps forward, doing a lot of 1’30s laps. For the final day we aim at improving our pace and ride constantly under the 1m30s mark. We tried several different set-up solutions and in any case I’m optimistic even though we are still some way behind the leaders.”

Dovizoso is a little happier as he is much closer to Maverick Vinales on the timesheet thanks to his five years’ experience with the Desmosedici. The 30-year-old Italian signed the fifth fastest time with a lap time of 1’29.483: “We tested different set ups as it scheduled. We still have some limits because we don’t succeed to make the bike turn as we would like. Today the feeling with the bike was better. There was less wind compared to the first day and we felt a bit less the lack of the wings. The bike was less nervous and I had a good feeling. I’m optimistic but aware of the work we have to do”.

Dovizioso focused on the GP17 and tomorrow they will also test the new tyres brought by Michelin.