Jorge Lorenzo: Ducati MotoGP podium at Jerez felt "like a victory"

Lorenzo had scored just 12 points in his first three races with the Italian manufacturer heading to Jerez, but appeared to be in better shape throughout practice.

The Spaniard fought his way through from the third row during Sunday's race to claim his first podium since his winter switch to Ducati, after overtaking and later seeing off Tech3 Yamaha rookie Johann Zarco.

"It's like a victory, you know," Lorenzo said.

"Having a podium with a Ducati, such a special bike, such a difficult bike, makes me very very proud [and] very very happy.

"I didn't expect this position, I expected to fight for fifth, sixth position."

Lorenzo started off the front row at Jerez for the first time in his MotoGP career, but recorded a seventh podium in eight years at the venue.

It was also the first time since Nicky Hayden finished third in 2011 that a Ducati rider has reached the podium at the track.

"The race pace was very slow and I could little by little catch up and overtake some riders.

"So finally I struggled so much to open this little gap from Zarco. But finally I never gave up.

"I was very tired at the end of the race because this bike is a little bit nervous, so I push, I push, and I stay on the bike, and we can enjoy this result."