---
title: "Checa reckons Lorenzo will be competitive at Ducati"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/02/06/checa-reckons-lorenzo-will-competitive-ducati/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-02-06T16:46:47Z"
modified: "2017-02-06T16:47:24Z"
---

# Checa reckons Lorenzo will be competitive at Ducati

Former 500cc race winner and World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa has said that he expects Jorge Lorenzo to do well in his maiden season as a Ducati rider.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/02/170552533.jpg)

Lorenzo will partner Andrea Dovizioso at Ducati this season after nine years as a Yamaha rider, with whom he won a staggering 44 races and three riders’ titles in 2010, 2012 and 2015. The Spaniard will be hoping to add his name to a very exclusive list of just five riders to have won the premier class crown with more than one manufacturer.

[Speaking to motogp.com at an event in Andorra](https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2017/02/06/checa-on-lorenzo-he-will-be-very-competitive/218964), the 2011 WorldSBK champion with Althea Ducati reckons Lorenzo will thrive in his new surroundings and be a contender for race wins, though admits that a title tilt for the Mallorcan may be a stretch.

“I think with a rider like Lorenzo and a team like Ducati – a very professional and clever team – I think he’ll be ready for race one,” said Checa.

“For sure in the team he will find good support – enough support – to find his way and get victories. I believe that this year he will win races. It’s difficult to talk about the championship, but I believe he will be very competitive.”

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/02/633256104.jpg)

The opening test of the pre-season for Lorenzo proved to be a tricky one, the Spaniard finding that his riding style did not suit the Desmosedici GP17 at all around the 5.5km Sepang International Circuit. He managed to somewhat adapt to the bike as the test wore on, and ended it just half a second off of the pace in 10th on combined times.

Lorenzo and Ducati will continue their preparations ahead of the first round of the championship in Qatar next month in Australia for three more days of testing beginning on February 15.