Team work better than team order. The way Lorenzo raced in Valencia was the right thing to do

© Dorna Sports SL

Saying that Jorge Lorenzo's decision not to follow team order during the final race in Valencia was considered by most observers to be questionable is - to put it mildly - simplistic. Spaniard's name was in fact dragged through muck and mire, by both fans and media (mostly italian but not only), until first Ducati's and Dovioso's statements appeared. They indicated - and it's something that totally convinces me - that Lorenzo was right when he ignored that nonsensical "Mapping 8" suggestion and did much more to help Andrea than Ducati with its hey, our situation in this race is nothing but hopelessness, but let's at least swap positions. Let me explain you why.

Dovizioso said so, Ducati bosses confirmed

In his first tv interview just after the race, italian rider admited he didn't have the right pace to fight for top positions and that Lorenzo wasn't holding him up. Following teammate helped him to ride more smooth as well as stay close to the front. 

“At the beginning I wanted to overtake Jorge, but in some corners I was slower, at the end he created a good pace. It was good for me to follow him, I could stay with them, but we were riding past the limit the whole race. (...) During the weekend I take a minimum of three tenths per lap from Jorge. In the race I was better – much better – but still slower. (...) We had the same pace as the leaders but we were pushing over the limit all of the race. (...) That’s why Jorge crashed and I crashed" - Dovi said and I highly doubt it could be insincere or done only for a good PR. 

Not only Dovizioso, but even Paolo Ciabatti said similar thing. According to him, "Mapping 8" message was only a suggestion, so the team has no problem with the fact Lorenzo didn't let Dovizioso pass. Gigi Dal'igna also shared this view. "We suggested him [Jorge] something, but in the end he's on the bike so he had to take the final decision" - Dal'igna declared. "No problem with that. He told me that he tried to push hard to carry Dovi to the front riders and I believe him" .

If so, then why this message was repeated so many times? In my view, it's because they didn't understand Lorenzo's plan. Instead believed only in their idea: to let Dovi pass and then we will see. In the end, the rider for which italians paid so much, didn't leave the responsibilty for them. He promised to help so did it, the best he could in given circuimstances. He focused on team work instead of team order.

The day after the race, Ducati (to be more precise - Dal'igna himself) confirmed they misunderstood whole situation, so the decision to send Lorenzo "Map8" message was a mistake. He explained that in the box they had a feeling, that Doviziozo was faster in some parts of track, so it could be better to have him in front. Afterwards, they spoke to both and noticed what Spaniard was trying to do: to help Andrea get to the front group in the best possible position, with the tires in the best condition to be able to figh. It's positive Ducati bosses were able to admit when they were wrong, but it's already too late. Some things like disrespectful comments, bringing 2015 "conspiracy theories" back, accusations of not being a team player, cannot be undone.

Still on the subject of is he or not a team player, it was quite funny to observe how fast people forgot about the race in Sepang. Once overtaken by Dovizioso, Lorenzo didn't make reattack, though wasn't on the limit and could at least try to fight. Nobody had to tell him that. In Malaysia - helping in this way seemed right. In Valencia - not, so he didn't do it. But it doesn't mean he didn't help.

On the other hand, the only thing Ducati did, was harm to both its riders. To Dovizioso by underestimating him, as well as to Lorenzo by not trusting him, his loyalty and his ability to analyze and adapt to the situation on the track.

Andrea is a great rider who had probably the season of his life. Sugessting that he needs his teammate to slow down to get the position was the worst thing they could do to him. What is worse, this position wouldn't change anything. When it comes to Lorenzo, it's gonna take weeks, if not months, until some people get over with it and disrespectful comments stop appearing under his posts and photos.

What if THIS? What if THAT?

We will never know. Honestly, I hate this way of discussing as it leads to nowhere. "What if Lorenzo let Dovi pass earlier?", "What if Dovi had an empty track?", etc. I tell you what: Dovi wouldn't do anything. He was slower for the whole weekend. Not only slower than Jorge Lorenzo, but also Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa and Johann Zarco. There was no way he could catch and overtake them on his own. If you don't believe, compare data. But be careful because there is as many data as people, cause everybody present them selectively, only to illustrate their point of view. More important than numbers or gaps in each sector is the fact Dovi found a rhythm and was coming closer. Secondly (for those who's already forgotten) he had en empty track, just after Lorenzo's crash. But as he lost his only point of reference it didn't took long time until he joined him on the ground.

Did Lorenzo really ruin Dovizioso's title chance?

Reading some comments and even articles written by experts, you may think so. Many of them are so dramatic as if he at least took Dovi out of track, was fighting back or didn't give him the 1st position. And how was the reality? He neither blocked, nor slowed down, but gave Andrea a tow. Simple as that.

"I pushed hard for the whole race to try and catch the lead group" - Lorenzo explained. "When Andrea was following me, I analyzed the situation and though that it was better to try and give him a tow to reach the leading group. If we had caught them I would certainly have let him past". Curtain goes down as there's nothing to add or comment.

In the end I missed one thing or - to be more precise - one gesture. If only Lorenzo showed Dovi a hand gesture (like they sometimes do in Moto3) meaning don't overtake me, follow me so we'll catch the leaders, it'd be clear for all - the team, fans and media - what he's planning to do. Then maybe they'd avoid the whole mapping 8 controversy and how bad is Lorenzo dispute. Fortunately he's not the one who cares about it. My second favourite thing about him :D

"I am the person that does not care about what people think. I do what I think is right, and I want the best for the team. This time it was the same. I don't know why we keep talking about that. It is already difficult for a team to understand, so imagine for people who are not in this business, it is ten times more difficult" [last Lorenzo's words via ontrackoffroad.co].

P.S. [For those still living in 2015] Season 2017 has already finished and was brilliant, same as the previous one. I wanted to let you know, in case you missed it being busy with looking for Lorenzo helping Marquez & vice versa theory in absolutely everything. This time he also didn't, so let this theory die and better spend your time cheering for your favourites.

That's all from me,
xx