Jorge Lorenzo buoyed by best Ducati run in Jerez MotoGP practice

The three-time champion has endured a difficult start to life with Ducati after nine years with Yamaha, with a best result of ninth from the opening three grands prix.

Fourth on Friday afternoon at Jerez, behind an all-Honda top three, is his best position in an official session with the full field so far, and comes at a circuit where Ducati has traditionally struggled.

"Today when I put new tyres on - I already felt better with old tyres - I could push quite a bit and make a good lap time," Lorenzo said.

"Still we have some margin [to the front], obviously the result is very good, and we are happy with the progression, still we have a lot of work to do in the future to make the bike turn more and also a bit less nervous.

"Little by little we are getting there and especially compared to the rest of the Ducati riders we are better than before.

"It's a good sign.

"I am [feeling] more confident, that gives me the safety to push more almost everywhere.

"That's what I feel today in the last run and probably what the people felt also watching me on the TV."

Lorenzo spent time at the top of the order during both Friday's wet morning session and the dry afternoon running.

He ultimately finished 0.871 seconds off the pace set by Dani Pedrosa, who enjoyed a 0.544s margin over the field.

Lorenzo made a change to his riding position during the Argentinian Grand Prix weekend last month, which he says has helped, along with increasing his use of a rear brake on the Ducati.

"I enjoy it more when I am first or second or making the best lap times," he said.

"But in terms of riding, I am enjoying more because I am less tired, I am using more the rear brake, flowing more the entry to the corners.

"Also the riding position is better than it was the first two races.

"We are in a good way, and engineers keep working on the bike for the future."