Lorenzo says Jerez podium should silence critics

Lorenzo, who joined Ducati from Yamaha this year, finished no higher than ninth in his first three races with the Desmosedici, but delivered a podium finish at Jerez – Ducati's first at the venue since 2011.

Speaking after the race, Lorenzo said that people had rushed to conclusions about his potential to succeed on the Ducati.

Asked whether the progress was on his end or the bike's, he said: “It's a combination of a lot of things – mainly kilometres that I needed with this bike, [because] this bike is special.

“When I joined in 2008 in MotoGP, suddenly I was fast because the bike was like made for my riding [style]. But you know, in other categories took me a long time to understand certain things and with this bike it is happening more or less the same.

“You don't have to doubt about my riding, my mentality - and some people did. This speak too early and finally they have to take their words in their mouth because you cannot doubt about any rider in the championship.

“All the riders [that] have come into the world championship, they are very good and can be at the front - but especially a rider who win many races and titles, no?”

When speaking to BT Sport, Lorenzo named former Ducati riders Loris Capirossi and Cal Crutchlow in particular as two doubters who had spoken too soon.

Crutchlow said late last year that Ducati needed Marc Marquez and not Lorenzo to ensure a MotoGP title, while Capirossi recently said the Spaniard was not “wild” enough to get the best out of the Desmosedici.

“I always think people speak too much,” Lorenzo quipped. “Crutchlow, Capirossi… to say it’s impossible for a smooth rider to go fast on a Ducati. They need to keep more quiet."

Marquez: Lorenzo doesn't need to prove anything

Asked whether Lorenzo's podium finish at a track that looked unfavourable for the Ducati meant he was now a title threat, reigning champion Marquez said: “Jorge, in the end, is a world champion – his level, he doesn’t need to demonstrate anything and he showed today that he is fast.

“So yeah, we will see. The championship is really long. After Argentina it looked like we were really far, it looked like Yamaha riders were unbeatable and today looks the opposite, no?

“Maybe Le Mans is the opposite again, it's a really long championship and we must take care of all our opponents.”

Jerez race winner Dani Pedrosa dubbed Lorenzo's podium a “great result” for Ducati.

“He is a super strong rider and, for sure, it is not easy to jump on a new bike and do good if the things are not in the place or you don’t know exactly what the reactions with the bike are," said Pedrosa.

“So today for him to do a podium at this track where normally the Ducati is struggling so much, it is a great result for them.”