---
title: "Bruising Motegi weekend ends with a DNF for Lorenzo"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/10/16/bruising-motegi-weekend-ends-dnf-lorenzo/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2016-10-16T09:59:28Z"
modified: "2016-10-16T09:59:47Z"
---

# Bruising Motegi weekend ends with a DNF for Lorenzo

Movistar Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo has endured a rather bruising weekend at the Twin Ring Motegi, and it failed to improve during the race as the Spaniard crashed out of second place.

The Spaniard’s weekend very nearly came to a shuddering early conclusion when he crashed heavily at Turn 2 during FP3. Lorenzo high-sided whilst pushing on a cold tyre and had to be airlifted to hospital for medical checks. Luckily, he was declared fit to ride and put in an almighty effort in qualifying to out his YZR-M1 third.

Despite riding in quite some discomfort, Lorenzo admitted that he’d likely have been a factor in the fight for the victory as his pace on Friday was solid. However, he went the wrong way with front tyre choice, opting for the medium compound instead of his preferred soft, that decision brought about by the high track temperature.

Whilst he took the lead into Turn 2 and ran at the head of the pack for the opening four laps, Lorenzo’s pace quickly dropped away as he struggled with the front. He revealed after the race that he was experiencing a vibration with the front tyre, which meant he just didn’t have the confidence to push on it and this allowed Marc Marquez to scamper away into the distance.

Lorenzo lost second to teammate Valentino Rossi on lap six, but only briefly as the Italian crashed out of the race just a few laps later. This by no means meant second was secure, as now Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso was bearing down on him.

Still struggling to push, Lorenzo had no choice but to up his pace to keep his future teammate at bay. But he pushed the front too hard into Turn 9 and it folded out from underneath him, sending him into the gravel. The Japanese Grand Prix is the Spaniard’s third non-finish of the season; you have to go back to 2009 for the last time Lorenzo failed to finish as many races.

> Twitter: UNBELIEVABLE! #JL99 is down and OUT of the #JapaneseGP! https://t.co/LWSBWoYmFt (@MotoGP)

With both Yamaha riders failing to finish, Marquez was free to secure the 2016 Riders’ title. But, their fight isn’t over just yet. Lorenzo still has a 14-point disadvantage to Rossi in their battle for second in the standings with just 75 points left up for grabs.

“I‘m very disappointed, because I made a mistake. I tried to push too much when the bike was not working well with the tyres. In Aragón we made a good decision with the tyres and this time it was the opposite,” explained Lorenzo.

“We chose the wrong front tyre, with the soft I think I would have made a better race, because my front tyre on the first laps was vibrating and closing. I didn‘t have a good feeling, that‘s why I couldn‘t keep up with the pace of Marquez. Finally, because Dovizioso was coming, I pushed more than before in that corner and the front tyre didn‘t give me any support or feedback and I crashed. It‘s a pity, because I think we had the potential to fight for the victory with the right front tyre, but it was impossible today and we lost a great opportunity to be second in the championship.

“I want to congratulate Marquez because he didn‘t have an advantage from his bike this year and he was the most consistent rider, so he deserves this championship.”