German MotoGP: Lorenzo: 'Ergonomic change has been huge for me'

Jorge Lorenzo has underlined the 'huge' significance of the revised fuel tank shape in his mid-season MotoGP revival, despite fading from the lead to seventh place last time at Assen.

Having endured a 23-race win drought, Lorenzo sensationally took his first Ducati victories with back-to-back triumphs in Mugello and Catalunya.

The revised fuel tank ergonomics were credited as taking some of the strain off the triple MotoGP champion's arms under braking, allowing him to maintain his impressive hard-braking performance to the end of the race.

So why didn't it work at Assen?

The problem for Lorenzo at Assen was that the greatest physical burden came not under braking, but while trying to pull the Desmosedici through high-speed direction changes, where the revised tank shape had little impact.

In addition, the lack of hard-braking zones compared to the previous races meant Lorenzo's braking skills counted for less in terms of lap time.

"This ergonomic change has been huge for me, a step forward, but on some physical tracks you just have to use that energy," Lorenzo said at the Sachsenring on Thursday.

"Here is it very narrow and short and you do a lot of laps and it could be better in that area than Assen. 

"It was good for me to get away from Assen; it was hard for me in that area. I think Sachsenring will be OK.

"I think our bike is a bit more competitive this year and works a bit better in a long sector of turning. 

"Probably we will lose less compared to last year and can reduce the distance."

Lorenzo led for more laps at Assen than any other rider, despite a scare when - moments after saving a fast front-end slide - he was hit from behind by Valentino Rossi.

That was just one of several near misses in a thrilling race that saw the closest top 15 in history.

"It was a nice race to watch when you are quiet on the sofa and seeing the replay," Lorenzo said.

"But when you are [part of] the kinds of moments I had with Valentino, or Marquez had with Rins, there is a lot of stress and danger.

"For the show it is great and I think MotoGP is one of the most amazing sports in moments like this. 

"Dorna do a great job. For the fans it is fantastic."

Meanwhile, Lorenzo made the best start by a MotoGP rider this season at Assen, when he recovered eight positions.

If there was some kind of special technique involved, he's keeping it to himself: 

"It is a natural talent!" he said of the getaway.

Lorenzo was just eleventh in last year's race.

 

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