Although finishing 4th in Qatar, Jorge Lorenzo stated that helmet problems were the main cause for loosing the battle for the first place.
Lorenzo stated that even though Ducati had a stronger breaking speed, he and Rossi could win time in corners. And if Rossi managed a great performance, bad luck struck Lorenzo.
Lorenzo: ,, To be honest, I thought that I could win the race, though it surely wasn‘t going to be easy, because Valentino had a very strong pace at the end of the race. I was feeling better and better, but suddenly there was something wrong when in the top part of the helmet the foam came loose and came down so I lost half of my vision. I couldn‘t see the corners very well and couldn‘t concentrate or ride like before and I was losing half a second or more per lap. In a race where, at minimum I could fight for the win, I finished fourth’’