Lorenzo hopes to salvage a podium

The Spaniard has been unable to get his Yamaha on the pace at Phillip Island, and has also been hampered by illness.

Although he still managed to qualify fourth today, he was 0.7s and two places behind his Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi, who he trails by 18 points in the championship with two rounds to go.

Today's result was the first time all year that Lorenzo failed to get a front row slot, with Honda's Dani Pedrosa beating him to third by 0.001s.

"I'm a bit disappointed to lose my 100 per cent front row qualifying record by such a tiny amount, but today we just didn't quite have enough pace," said Lorenzo.

"We still don't have enough grip on the rear and the tyre is spinning too much, which makes it difficult to be fast enough.

"Tomorrow I will try to adapt my riding style instead in order to try to make it onto the podium."

He added that his physical condition had improved, but was still far from perfect.

"I feel better than yesterday but I'm still not at 100 per cent," Lorenzo said. "I feel quite weak still because I haven't been able to eat much. I will have to try before tomorrow in order to have enough strength for the race.

"I don't feel any pressure, I will just go out and do my best."