---
title: "Lorenzo gives first thoughts on Ducati at team launch"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/01/20/lorenzo-gives-first-thoughts-ducati-team-launch/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-01-20T11:03:58Z"
modified: "2017-01-20T11:13:41Z"
---

# Lorenzo gives first thoughts on Ducati at team launch

Triple MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo has given his first thoughts on Ducati and the Desmosedici at the Italian marque’s 2017 team presentation in Bologna today.

Lorenzo, who moves away from Yamaha after nine years with the Japanese manufacturer this season, has been forced to keep quiet about Ducati until January 1 due to contract requirements from his former employers. Yamaha also stopped him from conducting a private test with Ducati towards the end of last November, though he was allowed to ride the Desmosedici GP at the two-day Valencia test.

The Spaniard was extremely happy with his first contact with the bike, praising its rideability and its sheer power. He also reckons that fighting for the podium with Ducati is an achievable feat.

“My first impressions of the bike were very positive, especially when you take into account that I have been previously working with the same bike and the same team, so it was a bit of a shock,” he said.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/01/623393158.jpg)

“But the truth is, it was a major and positive change. The stability of this bike is incredible and the rideability is unparalleled. It’s so powerful and looks like a nervous bike but it isn’t, it’s so easy to control in straights and corners, so it was a big surprise.”

“When you have been lucky enough to be world champion, the only thing you want to do is to repeat it but it is difficult as we have plenty of new riders, so what I need is talent, magic and method to keep improving and I think we will be able to get to the podium.”

The bike on display today in Italy was not the 2017 machine, and it is highly unlikely that we will see the final product until the first race of the season in Qatar on March 26. With manufacturers all seeking a replacement in aerodynamic performance to the now banned wings of last season, and with homologation of fairings not required until just before the opening round, it is likely we’ll see all the teams housing their 2017 bikes in 2016 bodywork during testing.