Lorenzo shouldn't "think too much" about how to ride Ducati

If there is an authoritative voice to diagnose the difficulties that three-time premier class champion Lorenzo is experiencing on his arrival at Ducati, it’s Iannone.

The Italian was a Ducati factory rider for the last two seasons, and in 2013 and 2014 he also raced the satellite Pramac machine. 

Few know the strengths and weaknesses of the latest Desmosedici better than Iannone, who is now trying to adapt his style to the Suzuki as quickly as possible after joining the Japanese team over the winter.

Theoretically, the GSX-RR should be more submissive and less demanding than Ducati he’s been riding for the last four years. 

Iannone’s transition from Ducati to Suzuki is going more smoothly than Lorenzo's switch from Yamaha to Ducati, and the difference has been clearly reflected by the timesheets during winter testing.

During the last test held at Phillip Island, Lorenzo finished quite far from the fastest riders in terms of laptimes, eight tenths of a second behind pacesetter Maverick Vinales after three days of running.

In a week’s time, both Lorenzo and Iannone will see each other again, this time in Qatar, for the last official test ahead of the opening round of the season, again at Losail on March 26th.

“To adapt yourself to the Ducati is a big task, it’s a bike that needs to be ridden in a completely different style,” Iannone explained to Motorsport.com.

“It has become easier in recent years. The bike demands a particular riding style, but it also has the potential to be competitive; you just have to find out how to make the most of it.

“The question is around the time you spend riding the same machine, as in Jorge’s case [with Yamaha]. Then jumping on a different bike demands a radical change in terms of riding style.

"That forces you to think about it. And if you have to think too much when riding, then you’re not so fast."

He added: “You must adapt yourself as soon as possible to the new situation in order to do things instinctively, as they used to come on your previous machine.

"If your instinct makes you ride as you used to, then you’re missing out on a lot of improvements."