Lorenzo: My Honda MotoGP struggles harder to take than Ducati lows

Lorenzo's best result in 2019 was 11th at Le Mans and he said it was "encouraging" to match the pace of the Honda satellite bikes, having left Jerez "sad" and "worried".

The three-time champion's 2019 Honda switch has been hindered after he spent the second half of last year injured.

He also missed part of pre-season testing and Lorenzo says he is finding it harder to struggle at Honda than he did at Ducati.

"It's very tough when you have won so many world titles, victories and you are used to it, is very tough to be so far from the winner and further down than 10th place," said Lorenzo.

"Very tough. It was tough in Ducati and now it's probably a little bit tougher.

"It's a continued fight with your mind to change your thoughts from negative to positive constantly.

"From negative to [having] faith - it is complicated.

"We have to understand the lack of pre-season [mileage], the lack of understanding [with the bike], the lack of private testing compared to the five days we had last year. This makes my improvement slower."

Lorenzo's pace improved through the Le Mans weekend but the Honda rider said he has only made small steps in recent rounds.

He added it is "difficult to imagine" that he could fight for the win at Mugello this weekend.

"I think after the Jerez test [we] make a step in some parts of the bike," said Lorenzo.

"In Le Mans, I make another step in some little parts and also [improved] my riding style.

"Unfortunately it's very small steps, [and I will not] be able to fight for something big, a victory or podium.

"It's difficult to imagine that [I will achieve this on] Sunday but I will try for the victory.

"But my goal now is to make another step."

Lorenzo said that he has been able to pinpoint corner entry and braking as the main areas he needs to work on.

"I need to modify some part of my riding to be able to enter faster the corners and it is my goal this weekend," said Lorenzo.

"Hopefully the bike is going to work well and we can have a better weekend compared to the previous five races.

"It's very tough at this moment to change the bike and I need to modify it a lot, especially in the entry of the corner.

"My way of entering the corner, that is quite the opposite as I was doing with the Ducati, will take time [to adapt].

"But at least now we understand what I have to modify and what I have to work on.

"Apart from it, now I feel much better on the bike in the ergonomy area, so that is a good sign."